More than 122,000 meals were claimed in Wolverhampton under the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme, according to the latest statistics – amounting to discounts totalling £714,000.
In total, more than 100 million meals were claimed across the UK under the scheme, which ran throughout the month of August. 84,700 establishments signed up to the scheme, including 168 in Wolverhampton.
Both Wolverhampton North East MP Jane Stevenson and Chancellor Rishi Sunak have hailed the success of the scheme, which was designed to support the hospitality industry after a challenging few months during the coronavirus pandemic. The scheme is credited with protecting 1.8 million jobs across the country, with restaurant bookings significantly up on the previous year.
Data from OpenTable shows bookings increased by an average of 52 per cent on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the whole of August, compared to the same days in 2019.
Eat Out to Help Out was just one part of the Government’s Plan for Jobs, an ambitious £30 billion strategy to create, protect and support jobs as the country bounces back from coronavirus. The Government will continue to support the hospitality industry with a temporary discount to VAT, from 20 per cent to 5 per cent, until January 2021.
Ms Stevenson said: “It’s fantastic to see the level of support that people in Wolverhampton have shown for our local restaurants and hospitality businesses through the Eat Out to Help Out scheme.
“This scheme was not just about giving people discounts on their meals, it was about protecting jobs that otherwise might have been lost as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
“I know that restaurants and businesses across the city have been astounded at and thankful for the support that people have shown, with over 122,000 meals claimed. I hope local people will continue to support our hospitality sector in the months ahead.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak MP said: “From the get-go our mission has been to protect jobs – and to do this we needed to be creative, brave and try things that no Government has ever done before.
“Today’s figures continue to show Eat Out to Help Out has been a success. I want to thank everyone, from restaurant owners to waiters, chefs and diners, for embracing it and helping drive our economic recovery.
“The scheme is just one part of our Plan for Jobs and we will continue to protect, support and create jobs to ensure we come back stronger as a nation.”
ENDS
