More than 10.5 million discounted meals were claimed in the first week of the Eat Out to Help Out initiative, it has been revealed.
Under the scheme, customers dining at qualifying establishments on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the month of August are entitled to a 50 per cent discount on food and non-alcoholic drinks up to the value of £10 per person.
The participating business – which ranges from independent eateries to global chains including McDonald’s and KFC – can then reclaim the discount through a Government portal on a weekly basis.
According to the Treasury, the average cost of each claim came close to £5, meaning over 83,000 registered bars, restaurants and pubs have now claimed around £50 million since the scheme launched last week.
Describing the figures as “amazing”, Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “Britons are eating out to help out in big numbers. And they aren’t just getting a great deal – they’re supporting the almost two million people employed in this sector.”
Separate figures, published by retail analyst Springboard, also show that the number of people visiting high streets and shopping centres “surged” in the week following the launch of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme.
The report suggests that footfall rose 18.9 per cent after 6pm between Monday and Wednesday – usually the quietest period for shopping and dining out.