Hopes that scheme will tempt diners

RESTAURANTS across the city are preparing to offer a government-backed discount to their customers for the first time.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s £10 meal discount is now active for all diners across the UK, who can use it Monday to Wednesday as many times as they like.

The Eat Out to Help Out scheme, under which diners are entitled to a 50% discount on sit-in meals up to the value of £10, is to give restaurants, bars and cafes a much-needed shot in the arm following the coronavirus lockdown.

It also aims to entice customers to eat out on those early weekdays to make up for the lack of office workers, many of whom are still home-based.

Participating businesses must register to take part in the scheme, and by midnight last night more than 72,000 had signed up across the UK.

But with an absence of office workers and tourists in city centres, some business owners are questioning whether there will be enough footfall to justify opening Monday to Wednesday.

Martin Tippett, director at 172 at The Caird in Dundee, fears there is just not the volume of trade to make opening for indoor dining earlier in the week worthwhile at this point.

He said: “I’ve got to look at costs and ask is there is enough footfall for me to open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, which would mean putting staff on and using gas and electricity.

“If I take in £500 it might cost the same amount just to open the doors.

“I’ve spoken to other city centre owners and they say they’re ticking over with business during the week but, with the discount, unless they get that money from HMRC back into their bank account quickly, then it’s going to be difficult. So there would need to be an increase in footfall.”

Serendipities cafe on Union Street, which is a part of social enterprise Uppertunity, is among the businesses taking part in the scheme.

Owner Danielle Gaffney Du Plooy said: “The scheme is a way to support people to come out, I suppose, to encourage people who aren’t going into the city centre. There’s a wee bit of an incentive, it will start getting people out and about again.”

She added that getting out will benefit people’s mental health which is something they focus on at the cafe.

She said: “At the same time it will help us out as well. I think it’s a good idea. It will just get people together. It’s an extra support out there.”

172 at The Caird.