Brits already making the most of Eat Out to Help Out scheme as they share glimpses of bargain breakfasts
Britons are already making the most out of Chancellor Rishi Sunak's Eat Out to Help Out scheme by scoring bargain breakfasts at McDonald's, Wetherspoons and Costa Coffee.
Pubs, restaurants and cafes will offer half-price mid-week meals from today under the Government's bid to boost a hospitality sector devastated by the coronavirus pandemic.
The meal deal will apply Monday to Wednesday in August, and includes major chains such as Nando's and Starbucks, as well as Michelin-starred restaurants including Tom Kerridge's The Hand and Flowers in Marlow.
Diners were quick to make the most of the discount, with some scoring breakfasts for just £2.
One Twitter user said: "Just got a McDonalds breakfast for £2. This eat out to help out deal isn't going to be good for my waistline."
Just got a McDonalds breakfast for £2. This eat out to help out deal isnt going to be good for my waistline.
— Daz (@dazgale)
BBC presenter Jeremy Buxton praised the scheme after he paid half price for his family's breakfast.
He said: "Loving the UK government Eat Out to Help Out offer - family breakfast at Manchester Airport was half price! Thanks Rishi Sunak."
Loving the UK government Eat Out To Help Out offer - family breakfast at @ManchesterAirp was half price! Thanks @RishiSunak pic.twitter.com/vNci9X2vC5
— Jeremy Buxton 📻 (@JeremyBuxton)
Another Twitter user said: "Had my plate of large breakfast with 50% at Wetherspoons!
"What a time to enjoy food, with #SocialDistancing #EatOutToHelpOut stay safe."
Had my plate of large breakfast with 50% at Wetherspoons! What a time to enjoy food, with #SocialDistancing #EatOutToHelpOut stay safe pic.twitter.com/8KzHbIfpFr
— Cyril Lucas (@Cyril_Lucas1)
Hertford town councillor Jan Goodeve also thanked Mr Sunak for the discount on her breakfast at Tewin Bury Farm.
Dorset councillor Jane Somper also started the day with a bargain coffee.
Thanks Rishi for my half price breakfast @tewinburyfarm #EatOutToHelpOut sustenance for the @WelHatCouncil Centenary Walk 20.20 km pic.twitter.com/6zrIZe9V98
— Cllr Jan Goodeve 😷 (@JanGoodeve)
She said: "A delicious Mocha to kickstart the day and with 50% off at @muffinbreakuk thanks to @GOVUK scheme."
Another Twitter user wrote: "Trip north to see family & thanks to #EatOutToHelpOut it’s the first time I’ve had a service station @StarbucksUK and not felt like someone had just absolutely mugged me off."
Doing my bit..... #EatOutToHelpOut pic.twitter.com/tKuEGlPxIB
— David Cooper (@david_g_cooper)
The UK's £130bn hospitality industry is the country's third largest employer and represents nine per cent of all jobs.
In his summer statement, Mr 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."
Monday mornings doing #EatOutToHelpOut - I appreciate the controversy around this scheme but equally enjoying the mental headspace having socially distanced coffee and breakfast for £2.50 outside of the house for first time in months #agileworking #caffeinefix pic.twitter.com/O6mrsm53F4
— Sarah Bruce (@SarahBruceUK)
The scheme includes all food but only non-alcoholic drinks, and will apply to both adults and children.
For example, if a couple went out and spent £30 on food and soft drinks, they would each be able to take £7.50 per head off the meal, totalling a £15 discount – equal to 50 per cent.
£1.90 for a sausage egg and cheese breakfast butty with a coffee and a pack of crisps.
Good lad @RishiSunak 💪
Tell @BorisJohnson to stick his obesity measures. #EatOutToHelpOut pic.twitter.com/qJrW4JgulY— Dave 😷☣🦠 (@David_breel)
But were that couple to spend £80, only a discount of £10 per head would apply – £20 total – despite this representing a discount of 25 per cent.
The scheme has been hailed as a success by some restaurateurs.
8:00am popped to Spoons with family for breakfast for #EatOutToHelpOut It would be cheers to Rishi but it’s a tad early. @ATJbeer pic.twitter.com/z2QaN1Wt4i
— glynn davis (@GlynnDavis)
High-end steak restaurant, Hawksmoor, introduced a £20 rump steak and chips dish to its London, Manchester and Edinburgh venues. The discount will see diners pay just £10 a plate.
Since announcing the deal, the restaurant founders have said they are booked up Monday to Wednesday throughout August.
#EatOutToHelpOut breakfast with the girlies. The scheme is slightly disjointed with BJ’s other campaign at the moment but remember we are helping out the police with less kidnappings 👌🏻 pic.twitter.com/fxLYaJ20Ff
— michele (@Whiffenpuff)
Yippee, first Costa Coffee @CostaCoffee since lock down, at the lovely friendly shop in Emsworth - welcome back, we've missed you #littethingspleaseme would have done it even without #EatOutToHelpOut 😄☕️ pic.twitter.com/ig4ENkzIJM
— PaulineRowson (@PaulineRowson)
Elsewhere, Russell Nathan, senior partner at accountancy firm HW Fisher, said: "Our restaurants, pubs, shops and hotels are struggling.
"This is a timely announcement from Government as businesses are in desperate need of a clear action plan.
"It is vital we see the hospitality industry back up and running, and these measures announced will provide an essential lifeline for many UK businesses."
Only restaurants that offer dine-in service will be eligible to register. This means there will be no discounts available for takeaway-only restaurants, mobile food vans or private catering services.
There is no limit on how many times members of the public can get a discounted meal within the time restrictions provided, as long as they are visiting a restaurant that has registered for the scheme.
Lovely sausage roll and mocha from @CostaCoffee - even better with the #EatOutToHelpOut 50% discount. pic.twitter.com/u8bSqDNTCC
— William Connolly (@William251201)
It has not been confirmed whether the scheme will extend past August or not.
Londoners can find out which restaurants in the capital are taking part by entering a postcode the government's Eat Out to Help Out website.
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