Statistics reveal popularity of Eat Out to Help Out scheme in north Northumberland

Newly released figures also reveal that 149 establishments in the Berwick constituency took part in the month-long scheme.

In total, more than 100 million meals were claimed across the UK under the scheme in August, with 84,700 establishments taking part.

Berwick MP Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: “I am so pleased that so many restaurants and cafes in my constituency signed up to the scheme, and that so many local people supported them.

"Eat Out to Help Out was always about far more than just giving people money off their meals – it was about protecting jobs which are reliant on businesses which have really struggled through coronavirus.

"Here in Northumberland the hospitality industry has been hit hard through coronavirus, so this scheme has helped many businesses get through the summer.

"I really hope local people will continue to support our establishments in the months ahead.”

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 Conservative 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 12, 2021.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said: “From the get-go our mission has been to protect jobs - and to do this we needed 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.”

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