'Eat Out to Help Out' discount aimed at creating demand for hospitality firms

Employers in the ailing hospitality sector have been given a “creative” boost by a new ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ discount. 

These new vouchers will give households a 50% discount on sit-down meals and non-alcoholic beverages, up to £10 per head. The voucher may be used unlimited times and will be valid Monday to Wednesday.

Businesses will need to register and can do so through a website which opens on Monday, 13th July as long as they have submitted their application (to their Local Authority to operate as a food business) on or before 7th July 2020. 

 From 3rd to 31st August, businesses can claim the money back, with the funds in their bank account within five working days. Claims are due to start from 7th August and the service will close on 30th September.

However, the discount cannot be applied to the following items: 

• alcoholic drinks 
• tobacco products 
• food or drink that is to be consumed off premises 
• food or drink that is sold as part of a private party, event or function taking place within an eligible establishment 

Customers do not need to do anything to claim their discount as this will be automatically applied to the bill, so long as the venue has signed up to the Government's scheme. 

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “To get customers back into restaurants, cafes and pubs, and protect the 1.8 million people who work in them, I can announce today that, for the month of August, we will give everyone in the country an ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ discount.”

Full details about the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme can be found here.

Date published 8 Jul 2020 | Last updated 22 Jul 2020