Diners warm to half-price meals on Chancellor

THE “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme increased in popularity by more than 20 per cent in its second week, as ONS data show 40 per cent of Britons are now comfortable dining indoors.

Spending in restaurants rose by 10.2 per cent on Monday and 20.5 per cent on Tuesday, compared with the previous week, according to figures from Sumup, the payments provider.

Meanwhile, four in 10 adults said they would feel comfortable eating inside – an increase of more than 10 per cent in five weeks – according to the ONS weekly social impact survey.

More than 10 million meals were ordered during the first week of the scheme, which began on Aug 3. Diners can enjoy half-price meals until the end of the month on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with the discount capped at £10 per person. Michelle Ovens, of Small Business Britain, said: “Many small businesses we hear from are now fully booked in the first part of the week and this offer has encouraged many to start opening up on Mondays or Tuesdays.”

Le Petit Sud, a restaurant in Kensington, west London, said the scheme had brought one of its “busiest ever Wednesdays”, despite August being a “notoriously quiet” month for hospitality.

Maria Yanez, the coowner of Crudo Cevicheria, in Fitzrovia, west London, said Monday was one of its busiest days since opening last September.

Ukhospitality, the industry body, said: “Our members are reporting a very welcome increase in trade at the beginning of the week.

“A significant chunk of people using the scheme had not otherwise been out to eat or drink since the end of lockdown, so it has tempted people back into venues.”

Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor, said: “Britons are eating out to help out in big numbers. And they aren’t just getting a great deal – they’re supporting the almost two million people employed in this sector. These amazing figures show that our plan for jobs is delivering.”

‘Many businesses we hear from are now fully booked in the first part of the week’