Yorkshire Water pulls ad featuring Russia and Herefordshire after criticism

Yorkshire Water has been criticised on social media, after a scene in its new promotional video was found to have been filmed a little way outside the county – in Russia. 

The film was supposed to promote the utility company’s campaign urging customers to save water, but that message was drowned out by a deluge of criticism from viewers who complained that the traditional Yorkshire pub had been replaced by a bar in Sochi.  

Worse still, the majestic fells and dales of Yorkshire Water’s catchment area had been usurped by the Malvern Hills in Herefordshire. Other stock footage is believed to have been shot in Ukraine. 

Yorkshire Water said it had removed the advert from its social media channels. 

A spokesperson told the Stray Ferret:  

“We recently shared a short teaser video for our new ‘word of mouth’ social media campaign to promote water saving. Unfortunately, it was shared before we’d had chance to do our normal checks on it and the stock footage that had been used didn’t capture the spirit of Yorkshire.  

“Once we were aware of the mistake, we immediately took the video down. The ‘word of mouth’ video series all contain Yorkshire residents talking about their water saving tips, and footage of our wonderful county.” 

Asked about rumours that its next video, billed as featuring Harrogate residents, would instead showcase citizens of Hamburg, the spokesperson added: 

“We’ve just posted our first video in the series on our Facebook page about some neighbours in Wetherby and the Harrogate one will be published in a few days.”

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