'Eat Out to Help Out' offers start in Harrogate today

Under the Government's new bid to boost the economy, which runs from August 3-31, customers will get a 50% discount whenever they eat in at restaurants, cafes and bars which are registered with the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme (up to a maximum of £10 discount per diner).

A Harrogate independent based on Oxford Street says it is vital for the future of the sector that people make the most of the month-long offers.

Simon Midgley, owner of Starling Independent Bar Café Kitchen, said: " The logic seems to be two-fold – firstly it is a sign government has enough confidence that as an industry we’ve done an exceptional job of being Covid-secure that it is willing to subsidise people returning to restaurants and pubs.

"But secondly, it’s an acknowledgement of the fundamentals of our industry, namely we can’t stand on our own two feet until we get back to full sales."

Mr Midgeley, director of Murmuration Ltd, said if the the 'Eat Out to Help Out' offers attracted more customers in the early part of the week, it would help balance out the impact the current Covid-19 restrictions were having on weekend trade.

He said: "Most of us traditionally make our profits from Thursday to Sunday when are venues have a greater chance of being full.

"Social distancing makes that impossible now, but we’ve probably all got spare capacity on Monday to Wednesday."

Starling will offer the Eat Out to Help Out discount to customers every Mon-Weds in August.

What is the Eat Out to Help Out scheme?

From August 3-31, get a 50% discount when you eat in at restaurants that are registered with the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme (up to a maximum of £10 discount per diner)

The offer is available every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between 3 and 31 August

You do not need a voucher to use this scheme and you can use it at the same time as other offers and discounts. There is no minimum spend.

You cannot claim discount on alcoholic drinks or service charges.

But you can use the offer as many times as you like during August.

The scheme is UK wide and customers will be able to see who is taking part on GOV.UK.

Regulars launch petition to 'save' Coach & Horses pub

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.