https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53911505
For any Brits on the forum I wonder what you think of the Eat Out To Help Out scheme - have you used it? Had any nice meals out this month? Have you gone out more than you would have because of it? If you've gone out have you ordered more than you would have normally because of the discount?
We hadn't been out at all since early February due to the virus until this month and probably wouldn't have gone out this month were it not for the scheme. We've been out three times this month, because of young children we can only go to family friendly venues - been out twice to a local pub/restaurant near us that has reopened with a limited menu. Went the second time at lunch today, annual leave this week so we could go in the day - we did call yesterday to get a table at 5:30 originally but they were fully booked for the evening today and tomorrow before 8pm which is too late for kids so went for lunch instead. Would only normally have a main meal but went for a three course meal today, whole meal for the whole family came to £30 after the discount . The only other time I've used the discount was taking the kids to McDonalds. The restaurant we went to today at lunch was pretty packed at lunch time, the tables were all spaced out to be COVID-safe but its a big venue and practically every single table was occupied while we were there - and that's at lunch time on top of it being sold out tonight.
When this scheme was announced my first thought was it was quite gimmicky, but I actually think it was quite cleverly done. Its gotten people out and about into the industry that most needed economic support post-lockdown, though it will be interesting to see how much people continue to go out next month.