Restaurants, bars and cafés across the Isle of Wight can now sign up to a new government initiative aimed at protecting jobs in the hospitality industry and encouraging people to safely return to dining out.
The ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ registration service went live this morning (Monday) on GOV.UK, allowing businesses to join the scheme announced last week by Rishi Sunak MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Those taking part in the scheme will offer a 50% reduction, up to a maximum of £10 per person, to all diners who eat and/or drink-in throughout August.
Customers do not need a voucher as participating establishments will just remove the discount from their bill. Businesses simply reclaim the discounted amount through an online service, supported by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Claims can be made on a weekly basis and will be paid into bank accounts within 5 working days.
The scheme is open to eligible establishments across the UK and can be used all day, every Monday to Wednesday, between 3rd and 31st August 2020.
Businesses will receive a window sticker to show they are using the scheme and can download promotional items from GOV.UK.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said:
“Restaurants and other eligible establishments are now able to support jobs by signing up to a place on the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme.
Article continues below this advertisement “HMRC’s quick and easy registration page will soon have you on your way to welcoming back your customers with discounted dining on every Monday to Wednesday throughout August, with a simple process to reclaim these discounts back from the Government each week”.
Jim Harra, Chief Executive and First Permanent Secretary of HMRC, said:
“The hospitality industry is among the sectors worst affected by COVID-19. The Eat Out to Help Out Scheme will deliver support to more than 100,000 businesses, including restaurants, cafes and bars serving food and drink, helping to protect 1.8 million jobs across the UK.
“Registering is easy, and we urge businesses to sign up early so they are ready to use the scheme when it starts on 3 August.
“Businesses have made great efforts to re-open their sit-down services safely in line with social distancing guidance, so people can feel confident to dine out again.
“Businesses can find information about the scheme and how to register online at GOV.UK”.
Who can register?
You can register for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme if your establishment:
• sells food that is intended for consumption on the premises when purchased
• provides its own dining area or shares a dining area with another establishment for eat-in meals
• has registered as a food business with the relevant local authority on or before 7th July
You cannot register:
• an establishment that only offers takeaway food or drink
• catering services for private functions
• a hotel that provides room service only
• dining services (such as packaged dinner cruises)
• mobile food vans or trailers
How to register
Businesses can register to be part of the scheme online at GOV.UK.
A searchable restaurant finder tool will be available to the public before the scheme launches on 3rd August.
The scheme can be used by diners who order food and/or drinks for consumption on the premises. Alcohol is excluded from the offer.
You will save far more cash by buying the food yourself, eating it at home in full Safety, and not relying on the cleanliness of others.
May be a very high price to pay for just saving ‘up to’ a tenner.
Think you are missing the point…its to help out hospitality ..and treat yaself too. Unless you dont want a choice to eat out in future as they are all shut down.
I think this is a great way to help the hospitality industry. Many are on the verge of folding.I haven’t been out to a restaurant since before lockdown so I’m ready. Also, my income has been reduced over the past few months so a £20 per couple reduction will be handy and will incent me to go out and that, after all is the idea.
I think it’s a great idea me and my partner haven’t been out since way before lockdown happened and saving an extra £20 is good enough for me.
Let’s face it its helping out local businesses and eventually everyone will want to go out and have a nice night out.
I know its going to be abit nerve racking for lot of people who are worried but let’s face it are you really going to stay indoors and do nothing to treat yourself ever again? I certainly wont be staying in and not looking forward to anything ever again.