Restaurants and cafes across the Scottish Borders have signed up to the UK Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme, allowing customers to get up to £10 off their meals.
Borderers will be able to eat out and get a 50% discount on food and non-alcoholic drinks, up to a maximum of £10 per person. The discount is available every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in August and can be used as many times as you want.
The discount will be automatically available to customers at participating restaurants. The business can then claim the reimbursement from the UK Government.
Participating restaurants can be found using the government search tool, which can be accessed here: https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/eat-out-to-help-out/find-a-restaurant
Results show participating establishments across the Borders with discounts available from Lauder to Yetholm and Newcastleton to Eyemouth. More restaurants and cafes are added to the search tool when they sign up.
Businesses can continue to register for the scheme until the 31st August and can make use of posters and social media marketing tools made available through the scheme.
John Lamont MP said: “It’s fantastic to see so many hospitality businesses in the Borders signing up for Eat Out to Help Out. The hospitality industry is one of the hardest hit industries from the coronavirus pandemic. It supports a lot of local jobs in our hotels, restaurants and cafes.
“I would encourage Borderers to find out who is participating locally and support them as much as they can during this difficult period. If you are just meeting with a friend for a coffee and cake, or going out for a big meal, you are able to benefit from this scheme.
“And it couldn’t be easier. The restaurant or café do all the hard work for you, and you don’t need any vouchers or coupons to take part. The discount will be applied automatically by the participating establishment.
“Of course, it is really important that we all continue to comply with all social distancing measures and follow any rules specifically set out by each individual business.”
Rachael Hamilton MSP added: “This is a very innovative scheme and has never been tried on this scale before. I welcome the ambition of the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, in doing all he can to support jobs across the UK.
“The Eat Out to Help Out scheme comes in addition to the VAT cut for all tourism businesses helping to protect jobs during this difficult economic period.
“I am delighted that such a wide range of businesses are taking part and I am looking forward to getting out and trying some of the best the Borders has to offer. It is very encouraging to see rural businesses especially making use of this discount.
“There is still plenty of time for more cafes and restaurants to sign up and I would encourage them to do so.”
More information for consumers can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-a-discount-with-the-eat-out-to-help-out-scheme
More information for businesses can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/register-your-establishment-for-the-eat-out-to-help-out-scheme
