More than 5,000 South West restaurants have signed up to take part in the Government’s half-price meal initiative, it has been revealed.
HM Revenue and Customs said that so far 5,033 of the region’s businesses had joined the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, from a national total of more than 72,000 including independent eateries and chains such as Pizza Express, Costa Coffee and Nando’s.
HMRC stressed that the number of South West eateries only relates to businesses that have fewer than 26 outlets. The actual figure, that includes large restaurant chains, is much higher.
Under the initiative, diners across the South West will see their restaurant bills slashed by as much as 50% from Monday August 3.
Anyone visiting a participating restaurant, café or pub on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout August will receive the half price discount.
The Government said the idea is to keep more money in hardworking families’ pockets and giving a vital boost to the UK’s hospitality sector, which has been hammered by the coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdown.
The scheme – part of the government’s Plan for Jobs that it is hoped will spur the country’s economic recovery from coronavirus – applies to all food and non-alcoholic drinks, with a maximum discount per person of £10. It could, therefore, save a family of four up to £40 per meal.
There have already been more than 3.3million hits on the Eat Out to Help Out restaurant finder, which shows what businesses are participating in local areas.
Many restaurants have seen a boost in bookings . Apps such as Opentable, Fork and Bookatable are all planning pages to support the scheme.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said : “Our Eat Out to Help Out scheme’s number one aim is to help protect the jobs of 1.8million chefs, waiters and restaurateurs by boosting demand and getting customers through the door.
“More than 72,000 establishments will be serving discounted meals across the country, with the Government paying half the bill.
“The industry is a vital ingredient to our economy and it’s been hit hard by coronavirus, so enjoy summer safely by showing your favourite places your support – we’ll pay half.”
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Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region.
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The scheme was announced during Mr Sunak’s “mini-Budget” statement in July with the aim of helping protect the jobs of the hospitality industry’s 1.8million employees by encouraging people to safely return to restaurants, cafes and pubs where social-distancing rules allow.
About 80% of hospitality firms stopped trading in April, with 1.4million workers furloughed, the highest of any sector.
Many participating restaurants offer healthy and low-calorie options, and the scheme should be enjoyed as part of a healthy and balanced lifestyle, the Government said. No vouchers are needed, with the participating establishment deducting 50% from the bill.
The Government is aware that people may be worried about returning to eat out. So, to address these concerns, businesses have prepared to become COVID-secure through, for example, protective screens, contactless payments, social distancing, one way walking systems, online bookings and reduced capacity.
The Eat Out to Help Out scheme is one part of the Chancellor’s £30billion Plan for Jobs, announced in July. Other measures announced to protect, support and create jobs include cutting VAT for tourism and hospitality by 15%, a £2billion Kickstart Scheme and an £8.8billion investment in new infrastructure, decarbonisation and maintenance projects.
