Eat out to help out - outdoor coffee shop

[MRex]

I had a quick look today to see which places locally are on the list; one of them is an outdoor cafe. There is no seating inside, everything is supplied as takeaway. There used to be a few outdoor tables that people can choose to use, but they were mostly removed at the start of lockdown and haven't come back. They were shut a strangely long time during lockdown given that the park was full of people, but opened up in May. So they could have functioned throughout, have no business impact because they are outside with a consistent outdoor queue for coffee and snacks, yet now they want the 50% to drum up more business - outside. It seems incredibly unfair on the restaurants and pubs who are genuinely struggling and had far more missed business opportunities in the past months. Are they actually allowed to join this scheme?

If they do sign up and are accepted they aren’t taking anything away from other venues, so why does it matter? Sounds like they will appeal to a different audience and at different times than, say, Pizza Express anyway!

Only eat in is eligible, not takeaway?
From the gov website for those applying:

You cannot register:
an establishment that only offers takeaway food or drink
catering services for private functions
a hotel that provides room service only
dining services (such as packaged dinner cruises)
mobile food vans or trailers

Leave them alone. They might bring the tables back also.

The whole scheme is a stupid idea anyway, when eating in is far riskier than takeaway.

Like the furlough scheme you can report businesses that are defrauding the scheme.

Of course it matters if taxpayers money is being used illegally, it doesn't matter if you are agree with it, it is what it is.

They will probably put some tables outside, the National Trust cafes are in the scheme and they have tables outside, I prefer that sort of place at the moment

I think you’d have to particularly petty minded to report a local business trying to make a few quid - it’s only what, 12 days out of the month this applies anyway?!

Jesus eAse up- lots of people are finding out which local eateries are part of the scheme, it will drive more business their way, what’s the issue?! As for when they chose to open, you have no idea why they may have wanted to close for longer than needed.

@VanCleefArpels

If they do sign up and are accepted they aren’t taking anything away from other venues, so why does it matter? Sounds like they will appeal to a different audience and at different times than, say, Pizza Express anyway!

Unless customers are going to eat and drink twice as much as much they are taking business away from genuine eat in I don't suppose many people are going to have two lunches per day on the half price days are they?

There are restaurants and a pub near it, yes, they are almost all independent businesses because the chains are further away. They all have inside and outside space, it's only this one that's takeaway only. I wonder if perhaps everywhere was added and then it's just up to them to only use it if it applies.

@MRex

There are restaurants and a pub near it, yes, they are almost all independent businesses because the chains are further away. They all have inside and outside space, it's only this one that's takeaway only. I wonder if perhaps everywhere was added and then it's just up to them to only use it if it applies.

Businesses have to add themselves but maybe they are planning to put the tables back outside.

@lifesalongsong neither are people going to eat lunch out every single one of the eligible days at the same place. And a different cohort will be using the scheme for dinner not lunch. So again, what’s the real issue here?

You are allowed to sit outside

[quote VanCleefArpels]@lifesalongsong neither are people going to eat lunch out every single one of the eligible days at the same place. And a different cohort will be using the scheme for dinner not lunch. So again, what’s the real issue here?[/quote]
Maybe we're talking about different things, I can only eat one lunch so if I can only afford the cheapest option and the takeaway place is full price I'd go to the sit o
In coffee shop next door where it's half price. If the coffee shop is cheating the system and charging half price when it shouldn't be I'll go there. That never evens out if every makes the same choice.

Are you meaning something else?

Not really - I’m just scratching my head as to why it’s an issue of significant magnitude to warrant the OP’s post. The scheme is a good idea, might bring in some much needed cash to a sector of the economy that has been decimated.

I don't see any issues. It will drive more people out to eat. I am eating out a bit more, taking advantage and I am sire many more are too. Also, you have no idea why they haven't opened up until now?!

The only issue is that people would use the restaurants and pub less if the outside cafe is doing half-price on takeaways, which seems to defeat the point of the scheme in encouraging people into the pubs and restaurants (or their outside spaces).

@VanCleefArpels

Not really - I’m just scratching my head as to why it’s an issue of significant magnitude to warrant the OP’s post. The scheme is a good idea, might bring in some much needed cash to a sector of the economy that has been decimated.

But no one's saying it's not a good idea, as I understand the OP the issue is that a business that might not be eligible might be defrauding the tax payer. Given the huge cost of all of the corona schemes that's a very valid concern imo

They had tables though before lockdown, they most likely brought them back, have you been there today to see since you seem very bothered by it.

They don't have tables today, no. It's not so much the fraud aspect, but that it was always takeaway (and busier than ever during lockdown once they opened), whereas the other places had eating on-site and they've only just been able to fully reopen. I was hoping those places would get the boost they need.

I've just re read your op, you say they had seating outside but they were mostly taken away. Not all therefore I believe they are eligible.

Just to clarify that, there's still one table for mixing sugar for coffee, but no seats. Which now that I think about it, I'm wondering why have that when people touching the same stuff could be avoided. I don't have sugar, so I haven't used it.

I guess they used to have 4 or 5 seated tables, so can claim they were impacted. It seems unfair on the other businesses and the taxpayer, but there are always winners and losers. We're make the effort to go to a few places, I'm just worried for them being so quiet.

The market for takeaway coffees in a park is not necessarily going to be the same as the pub and/or people will have a coffee AND lunch/dinner in the pub 🤷🏻‍♀️