Eat out to help out

The people employed by McDonalds and fast food outlets are not considered worthy enough for help and support? Young families being denied the occasional treat? I doubt they would be very welcome in the more exclusive eateries with their chatterbox children and pushchairs wrecking the ambience.

Perhaps they should focus on banning alcohol as it’s full of nasty things that undermine health and can cause untold damage to those who regularly indulge, damaging bodily and mental health and wrecking families. Or perhaps not?

Growstuff you wish we where victims. I'm not that is why I made the comment.

I’m sure Macdonalds and the like would have plenty of clients without this freebie. The drive through near us had cars queuing round the block on Saturday. There are plenty of local eateries and pubs which aren’t “posh” just because they’re not fast food.

We have supported this scheme as DS was made redundant from his hospitality job during lockdown. The money we saved was left as a tip as staff usually rely on tips and they were not included in furlough payment over last few months. I'd rather pay taxes for this scheme than see places close and more people on unemployment benefit.

Shameless people enjoying a Saturday treat? Perhaps they had run out of lettuce leaves and quinoa.

It's a good idea to get people out spending again .Its important it's done safely. Morrisions are part of the scheme the cafe in ours does a fairly good fish and chips .
Which I do buy on occasions .
The scheme pushed the supermarket to reopen the cafe .
Pleased for families that struggle to treat their children. Regardless of what some might feel ,Macdonads and other diners have made lots of children happier.
You can also use the opportunity to visit one of the coffee chains or a curry house
Would never normally without the 50 percent off .Its up to 10 pounds per person.
We do have to get out some day .

Kamiso

Shameless people enjoying a Saturday treat? Perhaps they had run out of lettuce leaves and quinoa.

The staff at these outlets are often young people who have difficulty finding employment. Obviously they don’t count in some people’s estimation.

We’ve had a few coffee & cakes on this scheme while we were out. I didn’t realise it was actually happening and told the till operative that she must have missed something out as it was so cheap!

We’ve had an unintended lunch, too. We’d had a busy time and only intended to have coffee but somehow ended up eating a delicious lunch.

It was top quality, I am fairly sure the chicken hadn’t been hanging around since last March and the vegetables were in jolly good condition if they were of similar vintage.

It was pretty well flagged up that at the start of lockdown, restaurants had used their supplies to provide carry-out meals and sent surplus to food banks and other charities.

I think the scheme must have been so popular with people on holiday either at home or elsewhere in the country as they have maybe been able to afford the treat of a meal out which is part of many holidays.

Incidentally we’ve only used the scheme one ourselves as everywhere in this area has been fully booked. On that one occasion the menu was the same for every day of the week so you’re not getting different or inferior food.

Sometimes I just wish we didnt overthink things . Go with the flow ,keep safe and support if you can.
For many this is not about the political element .Its about trying to support a multitude of workers there is a massive chain behind this .

cornergran

A young family close to us struggle to fund eating out, the scheme allowed them to have one rare McDonalds meal. The children were so excited, Mum and Dad enjoyed their excitement and not needing to cook at home. It was a treat for them all.

Exactly Cornergran . McDonalds is a huge TREAT for some families and therefore they have every right to take part in the Eat out scheme.

I can't see any difference other than maybe a little snobbery .

EllanVannin

What are these places serving up ? Stuff that was abandoned when the lockdown first came into force ? They obviously can't buy-in on a whim so it must have been stored. ?

Because I'm a fuss-pot about food outside of my own home I couldn't/wouldn't go for this scheme, it's about preserving my insides and not the money I'd save.

I won't keep chicken in the fridge beyond two days, so not a candidate for eating out. I'm more than happy not doing what others do

What peculiar comments!

I too am careful what I eat, but I don’t imagine places are serving up 5 months old food.

????????

We have supported our local restaurant throughout lockdown by ordering their takeaway menu and through this scheme.
I have a friend who, just before Lockdown, had just completed her first year as owner of a coffee shop. It was devastating emotionally and financially, to be forced close. Over the period she has kept her staff and thought of inventive ways to carry on. The emotional toll has been considerable. I am delighted to see that the EOTHO scheme has put her back in a good place, allowed her to bring back her staff and obviously given pleasure to other people.

I don't know when you were last in a restaurant EV, but rest assured that like us, they shop for fresh food and then cook it. Weird comment. I think this scheme has been of benefit in many ways. It has hopefully, helped to keep some restaurants afloat, has kept a few more people in jobs, and has helped some people to poke their noses out the front door which has helped their general mental wellbeing. People meeting up with friends and family in pleasant surroundings, having the food prepared for you, what could be better? I am trying to find somewhere with availability for tomorrow.

We have only used the scheme once, and DH even pointed out to the cafe owner that she had not charged enough! £8.60 for two freshly prepared lunches was a bargain, and a real treat. We thanked the waiting staff who were spot on with health constraints etc. So we think it is a great scheme to kick off return to eating out - for those who choose to do so.

We’ve used it once and will be out again Wednesday, I’m fully supportive of helping this sector and it helped me ‘dip my toe in the water’ of getting back to normality. Also out for lunch Thursday with a friend.
EV they have wholesalers to supply fresh food, but tbh, if you are generally that concerned perhaps you don’t eat out generally. We used a wholesaler for deliveries during lockdown, continue to do so and are very grateful they diversified.

I think it’s a good idea and for those sorry for those who “can’t afford to shop for food”, if people learned how to cook properly, the majority of them would not need food banks.

I feel very left out here!
What about people living alone - do they want to go and sit at a table and eat in solitary splendour? I also feel many of who cannot afford meals out are being denied a perk more affluent people are offered.
What about transport to and from this venue?
OK, they could go out and eat a meal costing £20 and pay only £10, but £10 would buy enough ingredients for several home cooked meals.
Yes, I DO know its to help the hospitality industry, but I'd like £10 off things like chiropody treatment instead please - others need help too.

I thought the scheme was intended to get people out and about again and the discount was to help people to feel safe and start eating out again not just for the days covered by the scheme. Many people have lost their job in the restaurant business never mind the owners who will have substantial debts and have to close permanently.

Loved your post Esspee and yes, we have made good use of it. On a trip away at the beginning of August it was great for coffees, lunches and one dinner out. Speaking to the staff, they said it was such a relief to have people in again, and although full on Mon - Wed, they said it was encouraging people to come in later in the week as well, once they had got over the shock of eating out again!

We tried to book locally for Wednesday evening and not a hope, everything booked up unless you want to eat really late. If you feel so motivated, why not go out and eat, enjoy your time out, and as one poster suggested, give the money you have saved to your local food bank. That way everyone wins.

ExD why not get a group of friends together and go for lunch? As previously stated this isn't a sort of perk it's a stimulus for an important industry with the additional benefit of encouraging people to go out.

ExD

I feel very left out here!
What about people living alone - do they want to go and sit at a table and eat in solitary splendour? I also feel many of who cannot afford meals out are being denied a perk more affluent people are offered.
What about transport to and from this venue?
OK, they could go out and eat a meal costing £20 and pay only £10, but £10 would buy enough ingredients for several home cooked meals.
Yes, I DO know its to help the hospitality industry, but I'd like £10 off things like chiropody treatment instead please - others need help too.

I've just enjoyed a great outdoor lunch at Battersea Power Station with my grandson - £15 off a £35 bill, plus service charge.

There were a number of solo eaters relaxing in the sunshine. Since when did single people not eat out? I certainly do, with or without company!

ExD I have often gone out for lunch on my own, taken a book or magazine sheer bliss.

We've just had a very enjoyable lunch. Two smothered chickens (chicken breast covered with melted cheese, bacon and barbeque sauce) It came with chips, coleslaw, salad and garlic bread. We had a tonic water and a lemonade. The total bill was £11. Can't complain at that.