Eat Out to Help Out scheme a success as 164,000 discount meals claimed across Falkirk district

Figures published this week show the total discount across the area’s two parliamentary constituencies came to £1.3m.

The scheme encouraged people to support the hospitality sector, following months of businesses being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Throughout August, the initiative offered diners 50 per cent off their food and soft drinks bill from Monday to Wednesday each week with the government covering up to £10 of the bill.

The move was designed to kick start the sector and protect the 1.8 million people it employs nationwide.

Restaurants, cafes and pubs serving food were invited to register to participate, and in the Falkirk constituency some 77 took up the offer.

The businesses served up 64,000 meals during the course of the scheme, with the total cost of the discounts claimed for reaching £433,000.

The average discount per meal was £6.80.

While in the Linlithgow and Falkirk East constituency, 104 business registered for the scheme, serving 100,000 meals.

The total combined discount these businesses have claimed for is £603,000 – an average discount of £6.01.The final figures may be higher as businesses have until the end of September to make a claim – but the scheme has been hailed a success.Alister Jack, Scottish Secretary, said: ““The UK Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme has been a roaring success, helping protect 1.8 million jobs in the hospitality sector.“More than 6.3 million meals were enjoyed in Scotland with the UK Government paying up to £10 towards each.

"I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported the scheme – as well as the staff who made it possible.”Rishi Sunak, Chancellor, also thanked all who had helped get the scheme up and running, saying the scheme had significantly boosted restaurant bookings during August, growing in popularity each week.According to OpenTable data, restaurant bookings increased by an average of 53 per cent on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the month, compared to the same days in 2019.In July 2020, restaurant bookings were down 54 per cent on average, and on August 31 - the final day of the scheme - reservations were up 216 per cent.He said: “From the get-go our mission has been to protect jobs, and to do this we needed to be creative, brave and try things that no government has ever done before.“The figures continue to show Eat Out to Help Out has been a success. I want to thank everyone, from restaurant owners to waiters, chefs and diners, for embracing it and helping drive our economic recovery.“The scheme is just one part of our Plan for Jobs and we will continue to protect, support and create jobs to ensure we come back stronger as a nation.”

A number of local eateries are saying thank you to customers by extending the special deals into September, footing the bill themselves.

Each establishment is offering its own deal, so customers are advised to check their offers and terms and conditions.