Eat Out to Help Out scheme registration open
CHANCELLOR AIMS TO KICKSTART THE AILING ECONOMY
STRUGGLING restaurants, bars and cafes can now sign up to the Government’s new Eat Out to Help Out scheme – even though those in Leicester still in lockdown.
The government has opened registrations for the scheme, designed to support the UK’s 130,000 hospitality businesses, which between them employ 1.8 million people.
Although pubs and restaurants are now allowed to open, many people are staying away because of fears about the threat of coronavirus.
It could be weeks before they are able to reopen in the Leicester lockdown zone.
The scheme was part of Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s mini-budget last week, announcing measures to try to coax the UK economy out of its slump.
Establishments using the scheme will be able to offer a 50 per cent reduction – up to £10 per person – to all diners sitting down for food and drinks on any Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday in August.
It means a family of four could save £40 on a meal worth £80.
The discount does not apply to alcohol, even as part of a meal, but does cover soft drinks.
Sam Hagger runs the Beautiful Pubs Collective, which has two venues in Leicester and one in Leicestershire.
He has been hit by the double whammy of three months of lockdown followed by an extended lockdown in and around Leicester.
He warned it might be too little too late for him.
Mr Hagger said: “I think the Eat Out to Help Out scheme should have a positive impact on consumer confidence to go out by mitigating people’s concerns they might not enjoy the Covid-controlled dining experience and thinking it might be a waste of their money.
“Disappointingly, though, the government seems to have overlooked that Leicester is now a couple of weeks behind the rest of the country’s economic recovery and seems to have no plans to support business operators who will now not fully benefit from their recent round of support or, indeed, missed the support completely because of the ludicrous rateable value cap.
“I also feel for my peers in the city with drinks-led businesses who this support appears to have completely missed completely.
“Support for a sector should not discriminate against the style of business.
“I also believe the furlough
scheme withdrawal timings should be extended for businesses operat- ing in the city.
“It’s going to take time to build confidence and we need to be able to look after our people.” The Eat Out to Help Out registration page has gone live on gov.uk. Customers do not need a voucher as registered establishments will just take the discount from their bill. Businesses will then reclaim the discounted amount through an online service, supported by HMRC.
Claims can be made on a weekly basis and will be paid into bank accounts within five working days.
Businesses will get a window sticker to show they are using the scheme and can download promotional items from gov.uk.
The Chancellor said: “HMRC’s quick and easy registration page will soon have you on your way to welcoming back your customers with discounted dining on every Monday to Wednesday throughout August, with a simple process to reclaim these discounts.”
Jim Harra, chief executive of HMRC, said: “The Eat Out to Help Out Scheme will deliver support to about 130,000 businesses, including restaurants, cafes and bars serving food and drink, helping to protect 1.8 million jobs across the UK.
“Registering is easy and we urge businesses to sign up early so they are ready to use the scheme when it starts on August 3.
“Businesses have made great efforts to reopen their sit-down services safely.”