Half price food... if you sit in?

[hjtip10]

Is this true? You can't take away! Is the government trying to spread covid twice as fast this month? 🤦🏻‍♀️

If it's what lovely Rishi wants then I'll do it.

@HeadAndShoulders

I know people who have been ultra cautious washing hands, wearing masks, washing shopping etc, but as soon as £10 off Nandos arrived they were in the queue before I could say "you're flipping nuts".

No I'm not nuts, there was a hand sanitizer station as we walked in, we collected a paper menu and cutlery as we walked in, ordered and paid online. A few tables removed, which actually made it more pleasant and we left via a different door.

It was lovely.

I'm going out Friday night (not part of the promotion obviously) and I can't wait! I've looked at the restaurant's Covid protocols and I'm comfortable they're doing everything possible. I want to go somewhere before bloody Boris shuts everything down again!

To everyone being absolutely rude
1- No I do not live under a rock!! But I am also not on any social media and rarely read through MN
2- Most restaurants in my area do take away now they can open hence why I was confused!

We went to subway today to sit in, the tables were separated but no system in place for people walking in to order and take away... my niece ended up having 2 panic attacks it got that busy so I won't be 'dining in' anywhere again! Many restaurants in my area are not taking bookings just walk in... Boris should have made booking compulsory...

@TheGreatWave Yes and that will all stop the air con blowing Corona in your face 😄

[quote MoreW1ne]@RichardMarxisinnocent sorry meant to tag you in that. So yea worth asking restaurants what they can do for you.[/quote]
Thank you, good to know. We would only be 2 or 3 people from 2 households, so one larger table, or two tables near to each other would work. I will ask my favourite local restaurant.

@HermioneWeasley That's lovely to hear!!!

It's time to start living and enjoying life again.

so I won't be 'dining in' anywhere again,

What ever? I do hope you're not voicing your concerns in front of your niece, you'll scare the poor girl to death.

I go back to a fully air conditioned office in a few weeks time - being in a half empty restaurant is the least of my worries.

We booked (table for 5 is always a bit more awkward) and were seated straight away. Only one group allowed to be waiting in the queue at once.

McDonalds on the other hand looked like carnage, queue out the door and a massive queue for the drive-thru.

OP you'll probably have more luck with a proper restaurant rather than a fast food chain. They will be less busy, have a booking system and also only have people sitting rather than coming in and out for takeaway.

I do find it bizarre that people are willing to queue for hours for a half price McDonalds, eaten in a rush because someone wants your table, when fast food is so cheap in the first place. I would rather have £10 off a fancy dinner in a nice place, than £3 off a big mac, personally. We have booked into a few places which will usually be out of our price range but we can try them with this scheme. And if it helps the economy and keeps the staff in a job, even better.

@userxx

so I won't be 'dining in' anywhere again,

What ever? I do hope you're not voicing your concerns in front of your niece, you'll scare the poor girl to death.

If she had 2 panic attacks just sitting in a subway for half an hour, it sounds like the poor niece is already far too terrified of covid.

massive queue for the drive-thru.

Really? The 50% off doesn't apply to the drive through, they'll be disappointed.

@KitKatastrophe Exactly! I really am very concerned about the MH of some of the younger ones, I suppose they take the lead from the adults around them 🤷‍♂️

So we can only meet one other household at a time in a private home but can all sit together in a restaurant or pub?! Surely it will just encourage people to eat out on different days, making the half price days busier and the weekends quieter? So will this actually help businesses? Makes no sense to me and the government encouraging eating out whilst also talking about an obesity crisis and a rise in infection rates is wrong imo

We've been eating out once per week since the restaurants opened. There was only one place where we weren't comfortable, and it was more bar than restaurant and the staff didn't have the confidence to tell people what the rules were. We've eaten out this evening and had a great time. Big room, tables well spread out. We can't stay in forever and we accept the risk that comes with going out. That is why we have only eaten out once a week.

I've just tried to book a table at my favourite local restaurant next week. Unless you want to eat later than 21.15 it's fully booked every mon-weds in August. Fed up for me but very pleased for them!

I will still eat out at the weekend despite the offer as I work in the week and it’s just not the same on a weekday evening. I am sure others will too. Some will stick to weekends. Some will do both. Some will just go Monday - Wed. At least it spreads us out, Thursday is gonna be quiet. Those that are the most risk averse can go then.

I hate the fact that we the taxpayers will be paying for people to eat out for years to come via taxes. Ridiculous.

We are on holiday and ate out tonight. The tables were all 2m spaced and it felt safe. We were not within 2m of anyone at all far less for any length of time so al confident we will not need to isolate.

@Staplemaple

These are people's jobs, people's livliehoods, it's a great incentive. I'm guessing those moaning don't have to worry about a downturn of business causing them to lose their home etc. I went yesterday and the measures put in place were great, it's a good way to build people's confidence and see the changes. There is more to life than covid, and you can believe that whilst being sensible and following the guidelines, shocker.

Yes this

@userxx

massive queue for the drive-thru.

Really? The 50% off doesn't apply to the drive through, they'll be disappointed.

Yep, I did just watch in amazement, maybe they saw the queue to get in and didn't think it worth it.

I agree with it and think it's a great scheme for restaurants. I can see how people would spend more on drinks, starters, desserts etc. However, I'm Macdonald's I was nearly wrestled to the floor by a worker because I ordered in then wanted to take my food out. She was practically blocking the door. Now I don't see the harm in having take away Macdonald's because surely you order what you want in one go?!

@Lifeispassingby Outdoor is up to 6 people (they also encourage it to be from 2 households)

I have tried all day to book TGIs but the website and app crash.

DS went to McDonald's today. It was so popular, the queues massive, that they were told there were no seats for eating in, that it was takeout only and so they did not qualify for the 50 per cent!

There is also a reduction in VAT to 5% which should mean your takeaway is also noticeably cheaper if they pass it on to customers.

www.google.com/amp/s/www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/07/vat-cut-to-5--for-hotels-and-attractions---will-you-get-a-discou/amp/