The Eat Out to Help Out scheme went live this week with more than 3,400 independent restaurants, cafes and pubs, and outlets from smaller chains in the West Midlands are participating. Local MP and Tourism Minister, Nigel Huddleston, has welcomed the Eat Out To Help Out Scheme, which will give people across the UK up to 50 per cent off their bills in restaurants, cafes and pubs on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout August.
The scheme, which is part of the government’s Plan for Jobs that 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. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak says “Our Eat Out to Help Out scheme’s number one aim is to help protect the jobs of 1.8 million chefs, waiters, pub owners 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.”
Out of the 72,000 establishments participating, independent eateries and family favourites such as Pizza Express, Costa Coffee and Nando’s are included. The scheme will help keep more money in hardworking families’ pockets and give the UK’s hospitality sector a vital boost.
As Tourism Minister, I think Eat Out To Help Out scheme is a great way to boost local businesses and protect jobs across our hospitality sector–which has been hard hit by coronavirus–while allowing families to keep more money in their pockets. I encourage my constituents to enjoy Summer safely by going out and supporting their local restaurant. This industry employs hundreds of thousands of people and many have had to close their doors for some time. Now, it’s so important that we give them the help they need to continue to thrive in our local communities and sustain local jobs.
