Eat Out to Help Out Scheme helps businesses welcome their customers back with 50% off food and drink

By Jessie Caldwell

After months of closures pubs, restaurants, cafes and other food establishments have been able to resume business in the UK from 04 July. Now, a new government scheme will help these businesses to be busy again.

The scheme known as 'Eat Out to Help Out' allows dine-in customers to enjoy a 50% off discount at participating restaurants and eateries. Businesses registered for the scheme can then claim reimbursement for the amount of the discount.

What does the scheme entail?

The Eat Out to Help Out Scheme offers a discount to diners with the aim of encouraging them to eat out during less busy days/times.

Businesses participating in the scheme can only offer the official discount on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 03 to 31 August. Businesses are expected to offer the discount during the entirety of their opening hours on these dates.

Diners will receive a 50% discount on food and non-alcoholic drinks for dine-in only. There is a £10 cap per diner on the discount, which includes children who are dining, so a family of 4 could receive a maximum discount of £40 off of the total price, excluding any alcoholic drinks or service charges. There is no limit to the number of times a customer can use the offer during the period of the scheme. All diners in a group of any size can use the discount.

Who can take part?

The scheme is primarily aimed at restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs, however can also be used in work and school canteens and food halls.

You can register if your establishment:

• sells food for immediate consumption on the premises
• provides its own dining area or shares a dining area with another establishment for eat-in meals
• was registered as a food business with the relevant local authority on or before 7 July

You cannot register:

• an establishment that only offers takeaway food or drink
• catering services for private functions
• a hotel that provides room service only
• dining services (such as packaged dinner cruises)
• mobile food vans or trailers

When does it take place?

The Eat Out to Help Out Scheme will be available from 03 to 31 August 2020.

How can I get involved?

If eligible, you can register for the scheme now through 31 August.

If you'd like to take part in the scheme, you must have:

• the Government Gateway ID and password for your business (if you do not have one, you can create one when you register)
• the name and address of each establishment to be registered
• the UK bank account number and sort code for the business
• the address on your bank account for the business (this is the address on your bank statements)
• the date your business started trading

You may also need your:

• VAT registration number
• employer PAYE scheme reference number
• Corporation Tax, Self Assessment or Partnership Self Assessment unique taxpayer reference

If you are planning to take part in the scheme, you can find promotional posters and materials provided by the government on their website. Registered businesses will also receive a display sticker so that customers can see that you are participating. The scheme will be promoted using the radio, media and advertising and registered establishments will be searchable in a database to be provided by the government on their website.

For more information and official guidance on the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme, visit the gov.uk website.

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