Funding campaign launched

Around 70 West Lothian eateries have signed up to offer customers 50 per cent off their bills this month.

Pubs, restaurant and cafes around the county are using the UK Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme, which gives people a 50 per cent discount on food and non-alcoholic drinks up to £10 per head.

The discount can be used an unlimited number of times on any Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday in August.

You don’t need a voucher – the deal works automatically and sees up to £10 a person wiped from the price of meals and non-alcoholic drinks.

Coupled with the government’s VAT cut, it means that many places will see prices two thirds cheaper than before lockdown – all in an attempt to give people confidence in returning to restaurants again.

The scheme has been launched by the government to help give the economy a kick-start .

Many big name chains have signed up, including favourites McDonald’s and Starbucks, but 60 independent establishments are also taking part.

In Bathgate, these inlude D’nisi, the Fairway Hotel, David Stein Butchers, Bathgate Golf Club and Luna Cafe.

Others include, The Crown Inn in Blackburn, The Hilcroft Hotel in Whitburn, Corrys Cafe in Polbeth and Chenzo’s in Uphall.

And in Livingston, there’s plenty to choose from.

Among those taking part in the town are The Livingston Inn, Artisan Cheesecakes, Oscars and Almond Valley Heritage Centre.

Garry Clark, development manager for East of Scotland for the Federation of Small Businesses, said the launch of the scheme was good news for local businesses.

He said: “Any measures that are aimed at getting people into local businesses and spending money are to be welcomed.

“Clearly the Eat Out To Help Out scheme is open to a range of businesses but we would urge the public to find out which local businesses are taking part and do their best to support small independent local businesses where possible. West Lothian’s restaurants have gone for a long period without regular trade and still have considerable challenges to overcome in order to survive. Let’s use this scheme and get behind them.”

Charlene Wallace, chief executive of West Lothian Chamber of Commerce, added: “West Lothian Chamber of Commerce welcomes any initiative that supports our local businesses return to work.

“The Eat Out To Help Out scheme is a much-needed short-term boost for our bars, cafes and restaurants, encouraging consumers to visit their favourite eateries and ensuring safe environments will give consumers the confidence to return.”

To find out which restaurants have signed up in your area, simply enter your postcode at https://www.tax.service. gov.uk/eat-out-to-help-out/ find-a-restaurant.

A West Lothian youth theatre company has launched a funding campaign to ensure as many young people as possible can take part.

The Regal Youth Company is a youth arts organisation that runs activities for children, young people and adults across West Lothian and believes in creating opportunities for participants to engage in collaborative, enjoyable and social workshops and performances.

But like many other businesses in the arts, it has been hit hard creatively and financially.

Projects to launch new groups across West Lothian have had to be put on pause and performances have been cancelled, meaning generating income is harder.

The group has run digital sessions since March and as the prospect of face-to-face workshops becomes more likely again, organisers want to make sure as many children and young people can access workshops as possible.

To help, a bursary scheme will be available for parents to apply from next year. This scheme will either fully or partially fund spaces across all of our workshop groups.

Artistic director Matthew Swan said: “We know that this pandemic will hit many families financially hard in West Lothian making coming to groups like ours trickier.

“We will not let financial barriers stand in the way of children and young people participating in our workshops.

“The bursary will aim to help people who have been impacted financially by the pandemic and includes those on Working Tax Credits, Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance, Incapacity Benefits, Personal Independence Payment Plans, Universal Credits and Free School Meals (P4+).

“This will ensure all children and young people have equal access to our activities.”

To help fund the bursary scheme, the organisation has set up a Crowdfunder campaign and hopes members of the public will donate.

Matthew continued:“Your donations will help with funding the bursary scheme meaning we can pay room hire and our team of freelance staff.

“By donating it would mean you would be taking the burden of payment off of West Lothian families and enabling children and young people to access our activities without any financial pressure.

“We want to create opportunities for every child and young person. We recognise that it’s not enough for us to say that, but we want to act on it. We hope you can help.”

To donate visit https://www. crowdfunder.co.uk/ the-regal-youth-company-pay-itforward