Eating out discount valid from 3rd August until end of the month

One of my favourite pub/restaurants is taking part in the promotion but have made it 50% with no £10 upper limit - bargain! So my DH has booked a table for next week for my birthday that was early on in lockdown when we couldn’t go out. Really looking forward to it. Thank goodness the gyms are open as well, think I might need them

The restaurants get the money back from the government so I'm not surprised by how many have signed up.

Thank you for sharing this, very useful, and like others have said I hadnt realised there would be so many taking part in my local area.

Thank you, Mick for the link. I've been trying (in vain) to find a full list of local places that are taking part in the scheme, so that's really helpful. We have 100 within 5 miles, which is about 80 more than I expected.

Like annsixty, I'll be happy to eat in places I trusted before lockdown, as I know the necessary precautions will be in place. I'm really looking forward to choosing something from an actual menu again.

I fail to understand this initiative. It covers fast food chains as well so you can get McD meal with only 5% VAT payable and then this August promotion. You then give people who have eaten a bit too much £50 cycle repair voucher and may be a free bike. www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/mcdonalds-full-price-list-vat-18679692

I won't be tempted. One of our local wine bars, registered as part of this scheme, has had to close as three members of staff have tested positive for the virus. I'm very sad for the owner but I am not yet willing to risk eating out, even with a tenner off.

Remember it only applies to those places on a Monday to Wednesday basis .
Mick

A lot of the distances are as the crow flies, some within 5 miles from here are 12 miles by road across the river. We will go and invite friends. Thank you for sharing, Mick

Thanks Michael. Really helpful.

Thank you, Mick. Quite a lot in Harrogate, pity it starts when you are leaving!!

Happy to support them. But not happy to risk the virus.

"AND the fact the 2nd wave is being driven by young people who are out and about as restrictions are eased."
Exactly GagaJo. And where do most young people meet up, and even work? Bars, pubs, restaurants.

Thanks, squiffy

LyWa

Am I the only one smiling about the strangeness of two news stories - ‘Eat out and help the hospitality sector‘ and ‘Lose weight to help the NHS’

Not to mention Matt Hancock saying the 2nd wave rolling across Europe is about to hit us AND the fact the 2nd wave is being driven by young people who are out and about as restrictions are eased.

But yes, they tell us to go out and sit in restaurants. It'd be better if they were encouraging take-always with a discount. Profit for the restaurants with less risk.

This is from the Government website:

Use the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme at a participating establishment :

to get a 50% discount on food or non-alcoholic drinks to eat or drink in (up to a maximum of £10 discount per diner)

every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between 3 and 31 August

as many times as you like

You do not need a voucher to use this scheme and you can use it at the same time as other offers and discounts. There is no minimum spend.

You cannot claim discount on alcoholic drinks or service charges.

The discount will be automatically available to you at participating establishments. Establishments will then claim a reimbursement from the government for the discount they’ve given you.

Participating establishments may include :

restaurants, cafés, bars or pubs
work and school canteens
food halls

Thankyou for the link which I have shared with my daughters. I was amazed at the variety of places near me. I'm very wary at the moment of where I go as high risk. If I did go somewhere I would prefer to support a small local venue rather than big chain,although I do realise a lot of chains are franchises. From a health point it does seem a little bit contradictory although you can just have a coffee as no minimum spend.
Health wise a lot of pub and restaurant chains provide calories and nutritional guidelines either on site or on websites. I'm sure I read somewhere that people are not supposed to pay attention to it. It can be scary reading! I think a lot of us know what the best option is. I have found it very useful in the past and it has helped me eat out in a healthier way.

LyWa , I quite agree! “Eat out...to lose weight”?

Plus the government are currently warning about the new wave of Virus rolling across Europe. Their confusing, conflicting policies must be filed under the heading ‘Yeah. But, No.’

Thank you for the link. I've chosen my favourite 3 which have outdoor tables and have booked to meet friends.
I think I will give the big chains a miss. They will be extra busy and want a quick turnaround, as well maybe employing additional random staff for the period who may not be as savvy.

Do you have to do anything at the restaurant to get the discount?
Is it just automatic?

I have checked the government website and like others have been surprised at the restaurants offering this.
If I would choose to eat there before I am not worried about eating there now.
I have eaten out once two weeks ago and was very happy with the measures taken by everyone.

As good as it is to help kickstart the hospitality sector, how many of us will still not be going out to places where there is a chance of catching it ? For me , nothing is worth the possibility.

Thank you for posting helpful link Michael. My favourite restraint we go to is on the list. We will be going every week in August and salads and fruit in between visits.

LyWa

Am I the only one smiling about the strangeness of two news stories - ‘Eat out and help the hospitality sector‘ and ‘Lose weight to help the NHS’

We could order fish and salad! Perhaps.

But yes, conflicting messages LyWa

The big chains are also doing it but not yet on the list, or on a different list. Check the Martin Lewis website too he lists many more!

Am I the only one smiling about the strangeness of two news stories - ‘Eat out and help the hospitality sector‘ and ‘Lose weight to help the NHS’