More than 77,000 meals were claimed in Bromsgrove District under the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme, according to the latest statistics.
In total, more than 100 million meals were claimed across the UK under the scheme, which ran throughout the month of August. In total, 84,700 establishments signed up to the scheme, including 87 in Bromsgrove.
Local MP Sajid Javid has hailed the success of the scheme, which was designed to support the hospitality industry after a challenging few months because of coronavirus.
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.
Commenting, Sajid Javid said:
“This has been a challenging period for local businesses, but I am pleased that the Eat Out to Help Out scheme has proved so popular”
“Bromsgrove residents are backing local businesses and workers, which will help to support the strongest possible recovery from this virus”
“Going forward, we need to keep that up and continue to back our high streets and independent businesses”
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.
“The scheme is just one part of our Plan for Jobs and we will continue to protect, support and create jobs to ensure we come back stronger as a nation.”