MP WELCOMES “EAT OUT TO HELP OUT”

Local MP, David Rutley, visited a popular local country pub, The Windmill in Whiteley Green, to help promote the start of the new “Eat Out To Help Out” scheme, which will give people in local communities and across the country 50 per cent off their restaurant bills in August.

The “Eat Out To Help Out” scheme was recently announced by the Chancellor as part of the Government’s “Plan for Jobs”. It gives customers a 50 per cent discount off their bills in pubs, cafes and restaurants on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays during August. The discount is on food or non-alcoholic drinks when purchased dining in, up to a maximum of a £10 per person each time the customer visits a participating establishment. 

Businesses claim the cost of the discount back from the Government weekly, receiving the funds within five working days. This scheme is in addition to the Government’s temporary reduction on VAT from 20% to 5% for cafes, pubs, restaurants and B&Bs. These steps have been taken to help protect the many jobs across the hospitality sector in light of the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

Like The Windmill, there are many other local pubs, cafes and restaurants participating in the “Eat Out To Help Out” scheme. A full list of businesses taking part in the scheme can be found here: https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/eat-out-to-help-out/find-a-restaurant

During lockdown, David worked with many local businesses, including The Windmill’s owners, Mr and Mrs Nixon, to assist them as they faced particularly challenging times. On his visit to the pub, Pete and Jane explained to David how they established a busy takeaway service during lockdown and then welcomed their customers back to the pub in early July as lockdown measures were eased. Since then, the business has gone from strength to strength, and the “Eat Out To Help Out” scheme has provided a welcome boost for August.

After the meeting, David said “I am pleased to support the launch of the new “Eat Out To Help Out” scheme. It is good to see many local businesses, like The Windmill, taking part. The scheme will help protect local jobs in the hospitality sector, which has been hit hard by coronavirus, while providing an incentive for families to enjoy summer safely and support our local pubs, cafes and restaurants. I hope many local residents will take the opportunity to do this over the weeks ahead.”