How to use the Eat Out to Help Out 50 per cent off restaurant scheme and does it include takeaways?

DINERS will be able to bag half price meals when they eat at a pub, restaurant or cafe in August - thanks to the Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

We explain all you need to know about the scheme and the rules around takeaways.

1

What is the Eat Out to Help Out scheme?

Under the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, the government will pay for half the bill, up to £10 per head, for your meal and any soft drinks.

The new incentive will run every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this month, starting on August 3 and finishing on August 31.

The aim is to get Brits back to restaurants to boost the economy and save jobs in the hospitality sector, which has suffered huge blows as a result of the pandemic.

It's part of a wider £30billion package to help the country's finances recover after three months of lockdown, as businesses navigate new Covid-19 challenges.

Before offering the discount, eateries must register with the scheme, which is open to all businesses that have a dine-in area.

This includes big high street chains as well as independent food outlets, which are also benefitting from a 15 per cent VAT cut.

How does the 50 per cent discount work?

The government will cover half of the cost of a meal out, up to £10 a head, including children's meals.

It includes soft drinks but not alcoholic drinks.

The discount means that a meal out for one that costs £20 will be reduced to £10, but a £25 meal for one will be slashed to £15 because of the £10 cap per person.

There is no limit to the number of times you can use the discount, so in theory you can get half price meals on every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in August.

Businesses will need to register with the scheme on GOV.UK before being able to offer the discount, as well as be Food Standards Agency approved.

Instead of issuing discount vouchers - which the government felt increased the risk of fraud - restaurants, cafes and pubs will be able to claim back the cash.

The refund will then been transferred into restaurants, cafes and pubs' bank accounts within five working days.

Customers will only receive the discount if they eat out at a registered business.

Does it apply to takeaways?

No, sadly the scheme only applies to food eaten in restaurants so you won't be able to get discounted takeaway meals.

Although, some businesses including Tesco's cafes have gone further to offer 50 per cent off takeaway as well as dine-in.

Tesco said it'll fund the full promotion themselves, rather then ask the government to reimburse them for any meals.

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A Eat Out to Help Out postcode checker has been launched by the government to help you find places that are taking part.

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There's also a new app that shows which places are offering the discount near you.

We reveal the full details of Eat Out to Help Out scheme, including 13 rules you have to follow.