The government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme has come to an end - but several restaurants, food chains and pubs in Suffolk and north Essex are extending the discount to encourage customers to keep on dining.
The money-off scheme was introduced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak at the beginning of August to help the hospitality industry recover from the pandemic, after taking a huge financial blow due to months of lost trade.
MORE: Mapped – All the restaurants offering the Eat Out to Help Out scheme near you
According to the latest Treasury figures, the offer was used more than 64 million times in its first three weeks - the equivalent to nearly every person in the country dining out.
It has been a hit here in Suffolk, with independent businesses praising the scheme for making customers feel more comfortable about venturing out.
Chris Poole, general manager of The Cock Horse pub in Lavenham – which has decided to extend the discount in September – said he saw a 50% rise in the number of bookings on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays through August.
He said: “The government scheme was a huge benefit both for us and our customers.
“It was a great campaign which has generated a lot of interest.
“We will be carrying on the 50% off food and soft drinks in September and will then review whether to carry this on further.”
Following its success, a number of restaurants and independent businesses have decided to continue the scheme off their own back, giving diners discounts when they visit on Mondays to Wednesdays in September.
So where in Suffolk and north Essex will continue the discount?
• The Manor Restaurant at The Belstead Brook Hotel, Ipswich
The restaurant will be continuing with the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, every Monday to Thursday throughout September on its A la Carte and bar menus.
• Oakes Barn pub, Bury St Edmunds
The pub is offering 50% off its food menu during September, from Monday to Wednesday 12pm to 3pm.
• Abbeygate Cinema, Bury St Edmunds
The cinema will be offering 25% off your food and drink bill, including alcohol, Monday to Wednesday throughout September! Members will still get a 10% discount, meaning you will get 35% off.
• Suffolk Food Hall
Suffolk Food Hall is carrying on its own version of the government scheme, giving customers that dine at the cafe or gelato hut 25% off food and drink throughout September.
• The Unruly Pig, Bromeswell
20% off its A La Carte food menu from Monday to Wednesday.
• The Cock Horse pub Lavenham
50% off food and soft drinks Monday to Wednesday.
• Royal Bengal Tandoori
50% off takeaways on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
• Trowel and Hammer Inn
All you can eat curry on Wednesdays for £12.50, all you can eat pizza and pasta on Thursdays for £12.50 and free drink with any burger on Fridays as well as money off if you spend £25.
• At Twenty Five, Ipswich
• Maldon Grey, Sudbury
The Maldon Grey will be continuing the Eat Out to Help Out scheme through September on Mondays and Tuesdays only, offering 50% off up to a maximum of £10 per person.
• Douglas Bader pub, Martlesham Heath
The newly refurbished pub is giving customers 50% off – without the £10 cap – throughout September from Mondays to Wednesdays.
• The Arbor House, Ipswich
The Arbor House pub in Ipswich is offering its customers 25% off on Mondays to Wednesdays throughout September, with a minimum spend of £10.
• Battleburys, Hadleigh
Battlesburys will be opening on a Tuesday now as well as Wednesdays from September 1. It is extending the 50% off scheme throughout September.
• The Walnut Tree, Thwaite, Eye
The Walnut Tree has extended the 50% off scheme to include all Tuesdays and Wednesdays in September.
• Pavillion bar and restaurant, Colchester
• Mimosa, Highwoods, Colchester
• Armstrongs, Clacton Pavillion
Which chains will be continuing the 50% off?
• Harvester
Harvester has extended Eat Out to Help Out for two extra weeks in September.
This means customers can get half price main meals on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays until September 9.
• Toby Carvery
• Bill’s
The restaurant chain is developing a bespoke menu for the deal which offers one course for £10 and two courses for £14.50 when dining from the set menu from midday.
It will also be offering 50% off all food on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
• Tesco Cafe
• Pizza Hut
• Deliveroo
Deliveroo will take £5 off the bill when you order a takeaway on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday in September.
To claim the discount, customers will need to spend a minimum of £20 and use a code.
Have we missed your restaurant off the list? Get in touch with us if your business is continuing the Eat Out to Help Out offer.
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