Northumberland diners have their say on future of Eat Out to Help Out scheme

The Government incentive, which launched on Monday, August 3 and is due to end at the end of the month, sees the cost of eat-in meals reduced between Mondays and Wednesdays.

Customers’ meals are reduced to half price, up to the value of £10 per head – not including alcohol.

As ministers face calls to extend the offer in support of the leisure and hospitality sector, we asked you to share your views on the scheme.

Here’s how you reacted on the Northumberland Gazette Facebook page:

Charlie Davison: “Everyone who's saying yes I'll come eat out when it's half price, you should support all your local businesses with or without the scheme.”

Mike Lisard: “Massive multi-national chains (McDonald's etc) shouldn't be included, it should just be locally-owned places who actually need the help and support.”

Lee Collis: “Yes it’s been great for business and the public, felt safe when I’ve been.”

Michelle Bernadet: “The hospitality industry needs all the help and support it can get.”

Claire Nixon-Ord: “Be great to see it extended to leisure industry too.”

Elizabeth Mitcheson: “Yes fantastic idea, and it is greatly appreciated.”

Duncan Gray: “Should have been brought in in November. Furlough ends. Trade traditionally dies off. Going to be a rough ride come November.”

Sue Maitland: “We have used the scheme. Where we ate we were very happy with Covid security.”

Kim Johnson: “No because those who work and pay tax are going to get hammered soon, Government needs to get its money back somehow!”

Bev Brewis: “Yes please, we've always eaten out locally and know how much these business appreciate this incentive.”

Wendy Hawkyard Bell: “No use to a lot of us. People who can't afford to eat out, people who have no one to go out for a meal with, people who live too far away from places that are using the scheme. There are surely better ways they could have found to boost the economy.”

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