Get set for Eat Out to Help Out

Eat-Out-logo

Pub owners and restaurateurs have signed up by the thousand to the UK Government’s Eat Out to Help Out Scheme which sees the Government pick up half the cost (up to £10) of a meal in the on-trade. If you haven’t already registered to participate there is still time and there is plenty of advice on how to be part of the scheme now available. The Government has also launched an online finder to help diners locate participating venues.

Already across the UK more than 53,000 outlets across the UK have so far signed up to the Scheme – and Eat Out to Help Out stickers and posters are also available to participants which will help make your customers aware that they can get discount for their meal in your place.

The logo signifies that if they eat-in will benefit from a 50% discount, up to a maximum of £10 per person, on food and non-alcoholic drinks, any Monday to Wednesday in August – and no voucher is required. Diners can take advantage of the offer as many times as they like during the month.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said, “Our restaurants, cafes and bars play a vital role in our economy, employing more than a million people. They have been hit hard by coronavirus, so it’s vital we do everything we can to help them recover.

“Our Eat Out to Help Out scheme is designed to get more customers through the door – protecting jobs by giving businesses the confidence to retain and hire staff. More than 53,000 businesses across the country have already signed up, and from today you’ll be able to find one near you with the online finder.”

To find out if a restaurant is participating in the Eat Out to Help Out scheme you can use the online restaurant finder now live on GOV.UK. Simply enter your postcode, or one near to where you want to eat out, to get a list of participating outlets within a five-mile radius.

You can also get in touch with your local restaurant to see if they’re taking part, or check their website.

Participating outlets must wait seven days from registration to make their first claim with all eligible claims being paid within five working days. Claims can be submitted weekly and businesses are encouraged to register before the 3 August to benefit for the entire month in which the scheme runs.

Further information for businesses, including how to register and make a claim, is available online at GOV.UK.

1.Get more information about the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme here.

2.Find out how to register your establishment for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme here.

3.The Eat Out to Help Out scheme is open to restaurants and other establishments that sell food for consumption on the premises. Establishments can provide their own dining area, or share it with others that allow customers to dine-in.

4.The discount can be used unlimited times and will be valid Monday to Wednesday on any eat-in meal, including on non-alcoholic drinks, for the entire month of August 2020 across the UK.

5.Customers do not need a voucher. Registered businesses simply reduce the bill by the appropriate amount, and the offer can be used with other promotions and offers the business accepts.

6.Help available to businesses:

  • Guidance on how to register and make a claim is on GOV.UK
  • Free live webinars which will explain how the scheme works, provides examples and allows you to ask questions
  • YouTube video explaining how the scheme works
  • Webchat service
  • Dedicated helpline for restaurants [0300 322 9429] available 8am until 4pm Monday to Friday
  • Free downloadable promotional assets to help businesses promote the scheme

7. HMRC will check claims and take appropriate action to withhold or recover payments found to be dishonest or inaccurate.

8.Tax agents cannot register or make claims on behalf of their clients. This will trigger a fraud alert and will result in delays in registering and claiming. Impacted clients will have to contact us separately to resolve.

Category: Coronavirus
Tags: cafes, Eat Out to Help Out, pubs, restaurants, Rishi Sunak