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Original poster

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

73 replies

DoorstoManual · 03/08/2020 23:33

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

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.

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...

OP posts:

Notcontent · 04/08/2020 10:52

I have mixed feelings about this scheme. I can afford to eat out (at least at the moment) and I took advantage of this scheme last night. But this does feel a little like a subsidy for the well off... Also, I feel sorry for the places that are quite cramped and therefore cannot reopen for dining in - many of these are doing takeaway at the moment and cannot access this scheme.

YorkieTheRabbit · 04/08/2020 11:02

I understand the reason behind it, I don’t agree with it. Restaurants and cafes were closing down before Covid hit. Jamie’s Italian, Prezzo, Carluccio’s, to name but a few. It’s sad that people will lose their jobs but I honestly don’t think a short term discount will save the industry but it will cost the taxpayer.

StopGo · 04/08/2020 11:02

DS and I have booked a table at our local pub for tomorrow evening. Trying to support local trades.

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IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 04/08/2020 11:13

@Hamm87

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

I agree.

We could have spent the money on extra nurse shifts , overtime etc to enable normal healthcare to catch up where it was delayed due to the virus.

I get the government wanting to help businesses but it’s not just food ones that are struggling and food is something that people should fund themselves I feel.

troppibambini · 04/08/2020 11:16

What pisses me off are the restaurants that are doing a set menu and you can only use the discount if you eat from that rather than the main menu.

Miljea · 04/08/2020 11:22

I think the money could be better spent, but, guess what, I'm taking advantage of it! I haven't flashed my NHS ID around at all, I haven't queue hopped; I also haven't sat at home, perfecting my garden and my Pilates since the end of March!

So we're out tomorrow evening (and won't feel at all nervous as I've been 'out' in it since Day One via my HCP job)- celebrating the three May birthdays, 19, 21 and 60 in my family; and I've booked a rated restaurant at our south coast holiday destination in a fortnight's time.

DominaShantotto · 04/08/2020 11:32

I'm planning on going down to our local Italian - we've been there for takeaway during the time they've been closed and using it there. We generally would have gone down Mon-Thurs anyway as they do a two course deal which works out about the same as ordering a takeaway in - so we're not switching days or loyalty or anything. I'm due a wedding anniversary meal and a birthday meal that I had during lockdown!

Even Macdonalds for breakfast eating in yesterday morning (I went through the drive thru to grab a coffee) was busy to Covid capacity - with families as well instead of the usual workmen and post-gym morning crowd.

Vinorosso74 · 04/08/2020 11:43

We went to our local cat cafe yesterday. We were the only customers in the morning (so got the cats to ourselves) but I noticed they had some other bookings in the afternoon. It made our visit cheaper than usual which was good!
There are lots of ways the money could be spent but if it helps places stay in business then good (I don't agree with much this government has done). However, I think it should have been kept aside for independents rather than the likes of McDonalds and Nandos!

BlingLoving · 04/08/2020 11:45

@troppibambini

What pisses me off are the restaurants that are doing a set menu and you can only use the discount if you eat from that rather than the main menu.

This makes no sense. But those restaurants will see the downside when people choose to go next door pretty sharpish.

BlingLoving · 04/08/2020 11:52

I'm going to regret this but.... the hospitality industry is a massively important one in this country. All those small businesses, family run, obviously desperately need to stay in business for themselves. But it's relevant for big businesses too because those companies like Nandos and Mcdonalds are major employers. They're also very important to supply chains - farmers and other suppliers rely on them. If some of those branches close down, the knock on effect is significant.

I have zero sympathy for chains closing down because ultimately they couldn't run a good business - ie good food at appropriate prices, managing the complexities of rent, rates, supply chains etc. All those Italian chains are good examples, including Jamie's (I loved those restaurants but was always surprised at how BIG they were in greater London and really couldn't understand how they could break even, never mind make a profit, unless they were full pretty much all the time, which was unlikely) - but I'm all for supporting those that might be badly impacted by Covid and want to keep going.

Having said all that, of course there are other things the government could have done. Eg helped freelancers more so that actually, they can afford to go out and spend again instead of sitting at home panicking. Reduce VAT more broadly to lower actual cost of purchases of more than just things related to hospitality etc. But this is the option they chose.

troppibambini · 04/08/2020 11:58

@BlingLoving I couldn't agree more

SomewhereEast · 04/08/2020 11:58

There's a huge difference though between chains which on the brink anyway (Carluccios, Pizza Hut) and the thousands of indies which were doing well before Covid but just can't sustain months of closure followed by a poor summer. Plenty of restaurants & cafes in my town fall into that category & I hope this helps them out. I support the scheme but yes it could've been better targetted.

Ginkypig · 04/08/2020 12:02

Our work hours means it's unlikely we would be able to use it anyway but I didn't think it worked out that great a deal though.

Without kids it's max £20 off for a couple which is not to be sniffed at in times like this but it's not a lot off an evening meal out.

I think I mean if you have two restaurants and one does the deal but the other doesn't but you like other one better the £20 wouldn't necessarily be enough to make you choose the first one.

I suppose lunch would be a good deal though.

Like I said I likely can't use it anyway but i hope everyone who fancies the deal else enjoys their meal out!

Ginkypig · 04/08/2020 12:04

The else in the last sentence is in the wrong place

GreytExpectations · 04/08/2020 12:11

@YorkieTheRabbit

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.

Well it's not about that. It's about encouraging people to eat out so they spend money which will keep businesses afloat. It will also keep servers, waiters and other staff from being unemployed by getting them back to work and off of furlough, it's designed to help the economy not the individual person.

Hidingtonothing · 04/08/2020 12:12

Our local Indian restaurant is my favourite place to eat in the world (and the owner is a friend) so we were there like a shot last night. Tables were well spaced, windows and doors all open, staff in masks and gloves and customers temperatures taken at the door. It felt safer than I expected (I was worried as I really haven't been out much at all since before lockdown) and we will be going back as often as we can afford this month.

GreytExpectations · 04/08/2020 12:12

You could also look at it from another side in that it helps those who may not normally be able to afford to eat out to now be able to.

LadyFlumpalot · 04/08/2020 12:17

I did raise an eyebrow when the local radio played the advert about this scheme immediately after the advert about losing weight to help fight Covid.

Hey, y'all need to lose weight and eat more healthily, BUT, here, have 50% off as much take away food as you can eat for the next month!

Illdealwithitinaminute · 04/08/2020 12:19

I think the aim of the scheme is to get the population used to going out again, in any form, and isn't just about supporting the restaurant business. If people feel confident to go to a local Italian, they may also be more confident shopping, or going to other activities and won't simply be staying home for the foreseeable future. I've eaten out once, not with this scheme, and it was all fine and quite reassuring, so to that extent, it does work!

Hidingtonothing · 04/08/2020 12:21

We fall into that category GreytExpectations, eating out is a rare treat generally and unheard of on a Monday night!

Thislittlelady · 04/08/2020 12:22

I think our country is suffering severe debt and I’m not sure that this was the best use of tax payers money tbh

MynephewR · 04/08/2020 12:24

I work in a restaurant and I think its brilliant. I'm actually rota'd on for a decent amount of hours this week for the first time since march!

GreytExpectations · 04/08/2020 12:24

I wish I could benefit from it but our working hours won't allow for it until mid August and I'm pregnant so not sure if it's worth the risk yet :(

Trashtara · 04/08/2020 12:25

I'd happily use it. But we can't have a babysitter in our house, so can't!

GreytExpectations · 04/08/2020 12:25

@Thislittlelady

I think our country is suffering severe debt and I’m not sure that this was the best use of tax payers money tbh

Well the economy needs to be back up and running properly to get out of this debt so how'd you suppose we do that if not the ensure businesses are able to make money?

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