Eat out to help out

[Whathastheworldbecome]

Will the scheme persuade you to go out?

@SockYarn I didn't say I wanted a free meal, I just didn't understand it! I've been out to eat three times already, I'm more than happy to support my local pubs/restaurants.

Lots of people commenting on here that the consumer will see the reduction in VAT... no chance! The restaurants will be absorbing that and we won’t see a penny!

@emilybrontescorsett

No it's not for me. My son has been told he is being made redundant in 10 days from the restaurant he works in. This won't help him. The restaurant rely on weddings, proms and large events. The government haven't done anything to help in this regard.

My daughter has lost her hospitality job and my son has lost his entertainment job so I understand where you are coming from.

However, the govt cannot legislate for every individual’s specific set of circumstances. With this particular initiative some people will take advantage of it and some won’t. But if enough people eat out to help out and a few businesses survive as a result then it will have been worthwhile.

hinkers
Can you refrain from presenting your opinion as fact?
Just had an email from a local restaurant with their new reduced price menu.

I can write whatever I like within Talk Guidelines, so can you @Mrskeats

Turns out 70% of MNetters agree with me

@HateIsNotGood it’s nothing like a food stamp for a restaurant. It’s literally just a 50% discount and only up to £10 anyway. You still have to spend your own money to benefit from the discount and in usual times, it would be easy to find somewhere to eat on a Mon-Wed that offers 50% off or 241 etc. I guess the only benefit is that the restaurants won’t lose out on the 50% discount as the government will pay it.

Lady just joking around. I'm not too keen on the 'chains' and would use it in a local independent, encouraged by the £10 voucher and reduction in Vat. I might even drag ds along (who will only eat chips) and consume his voucher too.

Won't people just delay eating out now util the discount starts in August so the restaurants will lose sales in July instead.

Many restaurants across the UK are not yet open. In Scotland we are still not allowed to eat indoors. (And if you are thinking of eating outside, take your brolly).

But you clearly think it's a rubbish idea, Blue Brian, there's no need to keep coming up with reasons you think it's crap, we get the message.

I doubt restaurants will lose sales due to people waiting for the discount.

There's lots of pent up demand from people being unable to eat out for the last few months, many people will be on holiday and will want to eat out, and many eat out weekly, or a couple of times a month at least, so the chance of an offer in August isn't going to change their behaviour in July.

it's been suggested (my twitter feed) that we donate each £10 saved from the 50% off meals out, to a food bank. I think it's a great idea, but... My normal is to rarely eat out. So shouldn't I skip the eating out completely & just donate what I would have spent out of own pocket that is excess to the amount it would cost to feed us at home? This

so what I mean is, we might have had 3 meals out in August on HM Treasury. 4 people x 3 x £10 each = £120 to food bank.
Or I cannot eat out at all, and donate £60 (£5 saved each time I didn't go).

makes sense to me.

Do you always follow what twitter tells you to do? Could just donate some food to a food bank. Why the guilt over doing anything enjoyable

I understand it’s to try and help the economy I get that.
I won’t be doing it as I never would eat out Monday to Wednesday anyway, that’s just my circumstances.
I do think the government have thrown lots of people under the bus.
The majority of those hit by terrible hardship would not and have no been hit by Covid.
It’s the same old argument I suppose one section of society being sacrificed for another.
The sad fact is those who have suffered the most are not the ones who are vunerable to Covid.
I don’t know what the answer is, but I would like an answer as to how is fine for a pub to open to many people who don’t live together whilst a wedding venue cannot have the same number of people in.
I know for fact there was fighting in a local pub, people were stood up, not sat at tables obviously not social distancing as they were physically fighting. Apparently people were going into the bar to get drinks etc. Despite this pub having an app to order food and drinks. It’s such a mockery.

I do think the government have thrown lots of people under the bus.

They have also financially supported millions and millions of people.

dunno OrangeB, I'm just trying to figure out the morality of the options.

Maybe ragged you could just do what makes you happy and you enjoy?

Nothing is black and white. Give something to food banks if you want but don't let randoms guilt trip you into behaving in a certain way..

I might use it if anywhere near me is participating. There aren't many chain restaurants in my town.

If anything it might encourage me to spend more in a place I like - have two courses instead of one or treat someone to a meal out as this would be more affordable with the discount.

@IAintentDead

And only *@SimonJT* has spotted the elephant (or something) in the room.

I’m disappointed no one else noticed, but I guess it says something about our minds...We both ate out to help out last night, got to get ready for when it counts in August 😂

@Hinckers

Lots of people commenting on here that the consumer will see the reduction in VAT... no chance! The restaurants will be absorbing that and we won’t see a penny!

I know one local business that has already said they will be reducing their prices, it would be ridiculous to think they are the only cafe in the country doing it. What is the source of your data?

Yes we have said we will go out for tea every Tuesday evening and try somewhere different each week. (Depending on how many restaurants this applies to)

I’m disappointed no one else noticed, but I guess it says something about our minds...We both ate out to help out last night, got to get ready for when it counts in August 😂

@UnaCorda

I’m disappointed no one else noticed, but I guess it says something about our minds...We both ate out to help out last night, got to get ready for when it counts in August 😂

What does SimonJT mean? I’m confused.

No because we have been shielding and will continue to be careful.

Also we have seen lovely food from the local restaurants on Facebook - but it looks just like what I've been cooking at home? And it wold be more expensive and possibly not as good. Why have the extra risk?

We are supporting local business as much as we can. We have had deliveries from 4 local businesses and we'll probably get take aways in over the holidays (not sure if the vouchers will apply to these). If we feel like treating ourselves we can get monkfish or lobster from the fish delivery guy.

What does SimonJT mean? I’m confused.

He is suggesting that he and his partner had oral sex. Quite why this has to be shared I don't know - we're all well aware "eating out" can be a euphemism.

@UnaCorda

What does SimonJT mean? I’m confused.

He is suggesting that he and his partner had oral sex. Quite why this has to be shared I don't know - we're all well aware "eating out" can be a euphemism.

My word...