At the beginning of July, the government announced the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ Scheme, designed to encourage consumer spending in restaurants in a bid to help the hospitality industry back to its feet. Here’s what you need to know
What is it?
The scheme offers customers a 50% off voucher up to the value of £10 (including VAT) at participating restaurants. The voucher will not apply to service charge or alcoholic drinks.
Venues can then claim this money back from the government. The scheme will be available across the UK, and consumers will be able to find a full list of restaurants involved on the gov.uk website.
What venues are eligible?
All establishments in which food is sold for immediate on-premises consumption are eligible. This includes all restaurants, cafes, pubs that serve food, hotel restaurants, members cub dining rooms and on-site cafes at tourist or leisure facilities.
Venues are not eligible for this scheme if they have no on-site, indoor seating or operate a takeaway only service.
For hotels, only food and drink sold for immediate consumption on the restaurant premises is eligible. Therefore room service is not included in the scheme.
Venues can still use this scheme if they have used other government support schemes such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
When can customers use it?
The scheme will run all day, every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 3rd to 31st August 2020.
It should also be noted that the voucher can be used in conjunction with other offers and discounts you are offering. Pre-existing discounts should be applied to the bill before the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ voucher is applied. The voucher will then apply to the remaining total.
How do venues take part?
Businesses must opt into this scheme to take part. Follow this link to the registration portal, and follow the simple online instructions.
Registration for this is now live, and will be open until 31st August.