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Eat out to help out.......................

73 replies

DoorstoManual · 03/08/2020 23:33

Thanks for that ............. Hmm

No seriously, we had a lovely evening out, restaurant not cheap, but we were marking DH's 64th birthday later in the week and the fact that this time last year, I found a tiny lump, and I am still here, we also didn't organise a holiday this year due to the breast cancer fall out so we will spend a small % of it this month........... hey ho. Grin

The restaurant was buzzing, all joking aside it is a great initiative, and maybe something individual restaurants could embrace during fallow periods. What they lost on discount, they made up on us feeling woo hoo and spending a little bit more...

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Theimpossiblegirl · 03/08/2020 23:42

We went to our local village pub. They reopened today so it was nice to show our support. It was all well organised and pleasant.

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netflixismysidehustle · 03/08/2020 23:44

I thought Rishi reimburses the discount?

I hope it helps kickstart the industry. The first visit will be nerve-racking for many but hopefully it will normalise going out to eat again.

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EmmaStone · 03/08/2020 23:45

Yup, we headed out this evening too, and ordered a little more than we may have normally done (and certainly more than normal for a Monday 😁). The place was packed.

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IKEA888 · 03/08/2020 23:48

we are booked for Wednesday but drove past a couple of country pub places this evening .. car parks and roads full of cars.
How does it work with social distancing ?

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DoorstoManual · 03/08/2020 23:48

It really was lovely, DS and I who are totally in tune a lot of the time( think The Shining) Grin........,said more than once at nearly exactly the same time, it is Monday and .......... this amount of people...

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DoorstoManual · 03/08/2020 23:53

Well the restaurant we were in in Guildford was only filling every other table, the doors on to the balcony were wide open(lovely view of the Castle) and it really felt very safe.

We saved the £30 and spent it on post dinner drinks, Hmm .....go figure
who ever came up with this was totally on message.

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olderthanilookapparently · 03/08/2020 23:57

@doorstomanual the Ivy?? Is a great view

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MrsTravers · 03/08/2020 23:59

Agree. We were meant to be in France this week but cancelled it. Home for the week, DH has still taken the week as holiday and I work term time only, so thought we'd take advantage of the offer. Had a fantastic long lunch and restaurant was bustling - DH out with friends tomorrow and we'll head out with the children again on Weds.

I get the rationale - it's easy not to do something once you've broken the habit. We'll definitely use the offer at least once per week this month.

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Titsywoo · 04/08/2020 00:02

We're going to be going out loads! We saved so much from not doing anything during full lockdown and will be taking advantage now. Took MIL to the local pub for lunch today, going to London for dinner tomorrow, out for steak on Weds. Going out twice next week and once a week the 2 weeks after that (all pre-booked). Everywhere still seems to be socially distancing etc.

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Titsywoo · 04/08/2020 00:03

One thing I was wondering is can you use it with other offers? We have a 20% off voucher for the restaurant we are going to on Weds - can we use that too?

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DoorstoManual · 04/08/2020 00:08

[quote olderthanilookapparently]@doorstomanual the Ivy?? Is a great view[/quote]
The one and only, I regret going when it opened............I used to be happy with the local Italian in Farnham.... Grin

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GlummyMcGlummerson · 04/08/2020 00:18

I took my kids for pizza at a local Italian - 2 x kids pizzas, 3 x drinks, 1 carbonara for me, £14. Brilliant! TBH cooking a nice meal from scratch at home wouldn't cost much less. I think I'll take advantage of this at least once every week in August especially as in some (already cheap) places it IS cheaper than eating at home. And no dishes Grin

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DrMadelineMaxwell · 04/08/2020 00:18

I'm making use of the offer once a week for the next 4 weeks, but only at places I can book to ensure it will feel safe enough. We're giving fast food places a wide berth where there may be long queues. And we aren't always having a full meal out. Tomorrow it's coffee and cake at a local cafe that is taking bookings.

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BlingLoving · 04/08/2020 00:28

DS and I are taking a trip into London next week for dinner at Marcus Waring's Tredwells. The discount won't be as huge due to prices, but it will definitely make a difference. Looking forward to it.

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DoorstoManual · 04/08/2020 00:36

@Titsywoo

One thing I was wondering is can you use it with other offers? We have a 20% off voucher for the restaurant we are going to on Weds - can we use that too?

To the best of my knowledge, no.
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Titsywoo · 04/08/2020 00:38

Just checked and apparently you can but the 20% is taken off before the 50% discount not after. Still going to make things very reasonably priced!

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Redbirds · 04/08/2020 00:51

We went tonight the restaurant managed it really well; side table to serve food to and all socially distanced. It felt safe and there was a real buzz.

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DoorstoManual · 04/08/2020 00:51

@Titsywoo

Just checked and apparently you can but the 20% is taken off before the 50% discount not after. Still going to make things very reasonably priced!

Still a great deal.

We in this house have fallen out of the habit of throwing caution to the wind every so often and saying.......... let's go out for a pasta/pizza and a glass of wine.

So in essence, a stroke of genius...
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Hamm87 · 04/08/2020 00:58

Sorry i think its a crap idea the money could have been put to better use

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DoorstoManual · 04/08/2020 01:01

Always one... Hmm

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DrMadelineMaxwell · 04/08/2020 10:26

Speaking as a friend of a new cafe owner who hadn't been set up in business long enough to access any help from the govt in Wales, this scheme is a winner and saw her gave a decent days business in the first time since March.
It might not boost things on non offer days and their business might yet still fail, but it has given them hope and some much needed revenue.

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Apolloanddaphne · 04/08/2020 10:29

We went for lunch yesterday. £20 for lunch for four. Bargain! We will be using this deal again.

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Proudtocare · 04/08/2020 10:31

I'd love to go as eating out is normally expensive and is only a treat for us, but...I just dont know if i want to yet...

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YorkieTheRabbit · 04/08/2020 10:35

I’ll be honest, I agree with Hamm87 I’d much rather the money went to people that are struggling to buy food rather than subsiding those who can afford to eat out anyway.

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CupcakesK · 04/08/2020 10:47

I agree more should be done to help people who are struggling to afford food. However this is a long term issue that our government has made worse (increased use of food banks etc.), regardless of COVID19 and has refused to tackle before.

This initiative isn't about those who can afford to eat out anyway versus those who can't - it's about getting the business back into the cafes and restaurants so those owners (who are really struggling) can make a living, not go out of business (and end up on benefits) and afford to put food on the table for their families too. Many people need a gentle nudge to do this and it seems discounted meals is a good way to get them through the doors

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