£500 voucher to spend in restaurants

[Alex50]

Would you go out to dinner, pub shopping if the government paid you to do so?

www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jul/05/sunak-considers-500-vouchers-for-all-uk-adults-to-spend-in-covid-hit-firms

I can’t see it happening but in the unlikely event that it does I’d definitely use it.

If I could have mine by Tuesday please cos I’m booked into a restaurant for dinner then

Yes of course i’d use it. I can’t see it happening at all though.

Yup. I’d use it straight away. The children and I would love this and we could support local businesses rather than chains. Plus I hate cooking so it would be perfect!

if it was beneficial to the economy, then yes. I'm all for supporting the arts, because I work in that industry, but would support local restaurants too.

I'd love it.

DP had a milestone birthday during lockdown, and we couldn't go anywhere to celebrate it. I could take him somewhere really nice for £500.

Oh this is ridiculous. It would be such a waste of money.

LakieLady £500 would get you one and a half meals at the Fat Duck (not including wine).

I’ve always wanted to go. I expect this isn’t in the spirit of what they mean though is it.

Yep

This isn't something I would use.

Of course I would use it if given . Not convinced it’s the best idea though. Temporary VAT cut would help economy enormously and across the board.

I'd buy an IPad - never had one, always wanted one

@LaurieFairyCake

I'd buy an IPad - never had one, always wanted one

In a restaurant?

It would make them so much more busier (which is obviously the point) so that wouldn't make me feel comfortable about going to a restaurant.

I do hope we can use them for food etc My DH has had no income for 4 months now

Can people who wouldn't use it say why? I am curious

I don’t really see the point. Whose money is this anyway and who’s paying for it? - us.
It’s basically dictating to us how we spend £500 of our money.

I'd be all over this like a bad rash but I'll eat my proverbial hat if it comes to fruition.

I'll eat my proverbial hat if it comes to fruition.

There is surely an independent baker who could use support. You could order hat cake with that voucher😂

I don't know. I'm reluctant to use a restaurant yet, but we can't get takeaways as DS has allergies.

Surely it would be cheaper to just give those industries another grant?

It's not just about money though; it's about getting people out and doing those things again. Dangling the carrot to make them realise it's normal and safe again.

@SchrodingersImmigrant

Can people who wouldn't use it say why? I am curious

I have no interest in eating out etc.

Yes, we'd definitely spend it (or donate it to poorer families if that was allowed). I think a VAT cut might essentially do the same thing though.

I would. This makes a lot of sense as a VAT cut benefits high income families more than low income families as low income families spend most of their money on zero/low VAT rated goods.

@SchrodingersImmigrant actually that's not a bad idea!

I missed out on my "once in a lifetime" holiday" way back in March when this all kicked off. I spent my 50th birthday locked down, unable to see anyone and not a crumb of cake in sight.

It was pants!

I have no interest in eating out etc.

Are you never doing any shopping?😳