‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme is ‘not a magic fix’

A Market Rasen pub owner says he is expecting a good response to the government’s new Eat Out to Help Out scheme - but says it is not a ‘magic fix’ for an industry ‘on its knees’.
Katie Pywell and Tom Lambie the Advocate Arms EMN-200607-123853001Katie Pywell and Tom Lambie the Advocate Arms EMN-200607-123853001
Katie Pywell and Tom Lambie the Advocate Arms EMN-200607-123853001

The Eat Out to Help Out initiative, for restaurants and other establishments serving food for consuming on the premises, is aimed at protecting jobs in the hospitality industry and encouraging people to safely return to dining 
out.

Businessman Darren Lince - who owns The Advocate Arms, The White Swan and The George Inn - is looking forward to the scheme starting, saying ‘something is better than nothing’.

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Mr Lince said: “The chancellor certainly surprised me with that one - eat out to help out shouldn’t be for August but forever!

“We are, of course, registering both The Advocate and The White Swan for this, and we are expecting quite a good response.

“Although details are still to be finalised, it looks like this ‘voucher’ can be used multiple times, but we will await on the details, but it can be used for breakfast, lunch or dinner, of course, so hopefully we will see quite a few regular and new faces.

“It is for only 13 days though, so it’s not a magic bullet that will ‘fix’ the hospitality sector that is on its knees, but from my own perspective, something is better than nothing, and we look forward to welcoming customers in, but with reduced capacity for social distancing they had better book soon!”

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The Eat Out to Help Out registration page went live on Monday this week (July 13), allowing businesses to join the scheme announced last week by Rishi Sunak MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Restaurants, bars, cafes and other establishments who use the scheme will offer a 50 per cent 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 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 five working 
days.

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The scheme is open to eligible establishments and can be used all day, every Monday to Wednesday, between August 3 and 31, 2020.

Businesses will receive a window sticker to show they are using the 
scheme.

• Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak has described the scheme as ‘quick, easy and simple’ for businesses and their customers.

Mr 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.

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“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.”

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