Information from Tim Loughton MP website.
At a time when businesses need support, the new Eat Out to Help Out scheme is a targeted investment in our hospitality sector, providing discounts of up to 50% to people eating out across the UK.
This radical, creative, first-of-its-kind scheme provides crucial support for key sectors of our economy which have had to shut down because of the severe effects of the coronavirus, particularly pubs, cafés and restaurants. And it will help provide the extra demand necessary to protect, retain, and create new jobs in the hospitality sector.
What is the Eat out to Help Out Scheme?
This Government’s new Eat Out to Help Out scheme gives people up to 50% off meals out, up to maximum of £10 per person, encouraging them back into restaurants, cafés and pubs. Anyone who eats at a participating business, Monday to Wednesday for the month of August, can receive up to 50% off.
Businesses can claim the money back from the government weekly, receiving funds within 5 working days.
How does the Scheme work?
Businesses who sign up to the Government’s scheme, will join a list of selected businesses where the 50% discount applies.
People who go to one of these selected restaurants, cafés or pubs will be entitled to a discount for food and non-alcoholic drinks for up to £10 per person.
This applies to adults and children. So a couple on a meal out can save up to £20. Or a family of four can save up to £40.
The refund will later be transferred into restaurants, cafes and pubs' bank accounts within five working days. That means you won’t need to take a voucher code yourself – the discount applies simply by turning up and buying the meal.
The scheme only applies from Monday to Wednesday throughout the whole of August. So this discount won’t apply on Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday. The discount also does not apply for alcohol, or for takeaway meals.
What other support are we providing to the hospitality sector?
This Government will not just introduce the Eat Out to Help Out scheme. We are also going to temporarily reduce VAT on hospitality, accommodation and attractions from 20% to 5%.
Specifically, eat-in or hot takeaway food from restaurants, cafés, pubs, accommodation in hotels, B&Bs, campsites and caravan sites, attractions like cinemas, theme parks, zoos, and more will see VAT drop from 20% to 5%, from now until January 12th.
This is a multi-billion pound catalyst for the hospitality and tourism sectors benefits hundreds of thousands of businesses, and consumers everywhere – while protecting 2.4 million jobs and realising the economic benefits of the reduced lockdown.
How can I sign up?
You can register if your establishment:
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sells food for immediate consumption on the premises
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provides its own dining area or shares a dining area with another establishment for eat-in meals
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was registered as a food business with the relevant local authority on or before 7 July
You cannot register:
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an establishment that only offers takeaway food or drink
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catering services for private functions
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a hotel that provides room service only
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dining services (such as packaged dinner cruises)
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mobile food vans or trailers
If your application is based on dishonest or inaccurate information, your registration will be revoked.
