'A lot of pubs will be saved by this': Northampton restaurant owners welcome government schemes to help hospitality sector

'Whether £10 per person makes any difference in the long term, we'll see but the VAT holiday is very important'
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Restaurant and pub owners in Northampton have welcomed the government's measures to support the hospitality industry recovering from the coronavirus lockdown.

Diners will get a half-price discount or £10 per head off their bill at participating eateries from Monday to Wednesday during August while VAT has been cut to five per cent for the next six months.

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Nuovo Italian restaurant owner Stewart Wright told the Chronicle & Echo: "We're going to embrace everything that is put our way and make the best of it - the same as everyone else.

Landlord at The Plough in Shutlanger, Jim KayLandlord at The Plough in Shutlanger, Jim Kay
Landlord at The Plough in Shutlanger, Jim Kay

"Whether £10 per person makes any difference in the long term, we'll see but the VAT holiday is very important.

"That will help us recover some of the debt we have accrued over the last three or four months as that' a big issue for us as we've got bills to pay."

Nuovo had its first customer back in the Abington Street cicchetti bar on Saturday (July 4), having sold takeaways during the lockdown.

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Stewart said it was lovely to be doing what they enjoy again and bookings have been steady with a full day of covers in the diary for Saturday.

Nuovo in Abington StreetNuovo in Abington Street
Nuovo in Abington Street

"We're only at 50-60 per cent capacity but customers are enjoying themselves and letting their hair down, those that have the money," he said.

"It's a crying shame for those that don't but maybe the £10 per head discount will make a difference."

However, Stewart warned it is important for the public to continue sticking to the social distancing rules and the rules set by restaurants to make it all work.

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"It's a partnership between the public and businesses, we have to rely on them to abide by the rules and we try to do the best we can," he said.

"If we work together then we make a situation where people can come out and feel safe but we're relying on customers."

Jim Kay runs The Plough pub in Shutlanger, which has been open as a shop for the village during the pandemic while the bar and restaurant have been closed, other than for takeaways.

The pub opened on Saturday too with just outdoor seating under a marquee - Jim said it felt like more of a garden party with lots of lockdown supporters coming to celebrate with no one getting too drunk.

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Indoor seating will start once they find a new home for the shop, which is staying in case there is another lockdown, but the landlord is taking it slow for now.

The landlord was very positive about the backing from the government as he believes it will help businesses and customers alike - even though his pub is shut on Mondays and Tuesdays.

"It will get people out, I know people are on a budget, but I think it will increase footfall," he said.

"As far as the VAT holiday, it's a relief as I was getting worried about the current holiday ending so the fact it's been extended is great - I think a lot of pubs will be saved by this."