Eat Out to Help Out: 100 million meals served up under coronavirus stimulus scheme, Treasury says

Total is likely to grow further as restaurateurs have until 30 September to claim back their subsidy

More than 100 million meals have been served up as part of the Eat Out To Help Out stimulus scheme, according to the Treasury.

The discount system was introduced in August to alleviate the impact of coronavirus on the hospitality sector, which had been hammered by lockdown.

Diners received a state-backed 50-per-cent discount on meals and non-alcoholic drinks up to £10 each between Monday and Wednesday.

On its final day, Monday 31 August, OpenTable data suggested restaurant bookings were up by more than 200 per cent on the same day last year.

By the end of 31 August, 130,000 claims worth some £522m had been made by 84,700 restaurants signed up to the programme.

Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, said in a statement: ”I want to thank everyone, from restaurant owners to waiters, chefs and diners, for embracing it and helping drive our economic recovery.

“The scheme is just one part of our plan for jobs and we will continue to protect, support and create jobs to ensure we come back stronger as a nation.”

Following the apparent success of Eat Out To Help Out, some restaurateurs fear for their businesses now it has ended.

The Federation of Small Businesses has called for the scheme to be extended for areas under local lockdowns, while the head of pub chain Greene King said ministers should consider a similar plan for city centres, where footfall remains low.

Some large chains plan to offer similar discounts without the Treasury’s financial backing. They include Pizza Hut, Bill’s and Wetherspoon.