Return to eating out

Tens of millions of discounted meals have already been claimed through Eat Out to Help Out

HALF of people in Britain have already eaten out to help out or are likely to take up the discounted meal offer. The Treasury said more than 35 million meals had already been enjoyed as part of the scheme, which is running on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in August.

According to a survey by the Office for National Statistics, 93% of people in Britain have heard of the scheme, which offers money off dining in at restaurants that have signed up.

In the week ending August 16, 11% of people said they had already taken advantage of the discount, while 24% said they were very likely to make use of it, and 17% said they were likely to.

Older people are more reluctant to take advantage of the money off scheme - 52% of those aged 70 and over said they were unlikely or very unlikely to eat out.

Of those of all ages who were likely to give a discounted meal a miss, fears about Covid-19 were the big drivers.

Half (51%) said they were worried about catching the virus, 21% said they were worried about spreading it and 46% said they were worried about social distancing in restaurants and cafes.

However, a third (32%) said they were just not interested in eating out, 15% said they couldn’t afford it even with the discount, and 9% said they were trying to lose weight.

Overall, both the number of people who are comfortable eating at indoor restaurants and the number who are doing so is growing, according to the ONS.

In the week ending July 12, 27% said they felt comfortable and 10% had been out to eat.

By the week ending August 16, that had jumped to 43% feeling comfortable and 34% having been out.

Eat Out to Help Out appears to be playing a role in this - data from Opentable showed restaurants were on average 27% fuller in the first two weeks than during the same period in August 2019.

In total, 85,000 restaurants have signed up, and 48,000 claims were made in the first two weeks of the scheme.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said the figures show Britain is eating out to help out, saying: “With at least 35 million meals served up in the first two weeks alone, that is equivalent to over half of the UK taking part and supporting local jobs in the hospitality sector.”

Anyone visiting a participating restaurant, café or pub on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout August will receive the half price discount up to £10 per person.

No vouchers are needed, with the participating establishment deducting 50% from the bill. There is no minimum spend and the discount can be used at the same time as other offers and discounts.