HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has today “invited” restaurants and food-serving establishments to sign up to the “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme.

The new Government initiative – announced last week – is designed to protect jobs and the hospitality industry by encouraging the general public to dine out.

It works by offering customers 50 per cent off, up to a maximum of £10 per person, on dine-in experiences every Monday to Wednesday, between 03 and 31 August 2020.

Almost all restaurants, bars, cafes and other food-serving establishments are eligible to sign up to the scheme, which is open for registration from today.

According to the guidance, customers are not required to produce a voucher as “participating establishments will just remove the discount from their bill”. The businesses can then reclaim the discounted amount through an online service on a weekly basis, with the cash “paid into bank accounts within five working days”.

The Government has also produced a free poster for businesses to show they are participating in the initiative.

Jim Harra, Chief Executive and First Permanent Secretary of HMRC, said: “The hospitality industry is among the sectors worst affected by COVID-19. The Eat Out to Help Out Scheme will deliver support to more than 100,000 businesses, including restaurants, cafes and bars serving food and drink, helping to protect 1.8 million jobs across the UK.

“Registering is easy, and we urge businesses to sign up early so they are ready to use the scheme when it starts on 03 August.

“Businesses have made great efforts to re-open their sit-down services safely in line with social distancing guidance, so people can feel confident to dine out again.”

To find out more about the “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme, please click here.

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