Eat Out to Help Out: Northampton businesses praise government's half-price food scheme for boosting demand

Northampton businesses offering half-price food courtesy of the government have praised the Eat Out to Help Out scheme for boosting trade from Monday to Wednesday last week.

Hundreds of restaurants, cafes, hotels and more in the town are participating in the government-backed programme offering up to £10 off food and soft drinks per person, which started on Monday (August 3).

Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce interim chief executive Louise Wall said: “Anecdotal feedback from our member businesses shows that this scheme has been welcomed by firms across the hospitality sector, injecting a much needed boost to an industry on its knees as a result of the lockdown.

"Members have reported their customer numbers doubling, of queues for tables, and the relief of being able to trade successfully again.

"Whilst we welcome all forms of support to businesses in all sectors, we’re thrilled that this particular initiative appears, at this early stage, to be fulfilling its aims.”

Chancellor Rishi Sunak brought in Eat Out to Help Out, which only applies to dine-in customers and ends on August 31, to boost the hospitality sector which is struggling following the coronavirus lockdown.

Despite concerns over Northampton's rising Covid-19 cases and infection rate, residents can still go out for a meal as long as social distancing guidelines are adhered to.

Policy executive at the chamber, Christopher Jones, said there had been no businesses reporting problems accessing the registration for the Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

Owner of Abington Street Italian restaurant Nuovo, Stewart Wright, commended the scheme for almost completely filling reservation slots for the rest of August.

"The town has taken it to their hearts but it's shame we're only half full because of Covid compliance measures," he said.

"It's taking up a lot of our time as it's so popular, we've had far more phone calls than usual but we can't seat that many people as we're at around 60 per cent capacity.

"It eats me up as a restauranteur not to be making the most of all this extra interest but safety comes first."

Asked if the days would be as busy without the scheme, Stewart said: "It wouldn't be as busy but we've just got to enjoy it.

"It's nice to be this busy Monday to Wednesday and when it gets to September we'll have to see what happens."

Stewart believes smaller businesses are benefitting from many chain restaurants remaining closed in the town but they are struggling to keep up with the demand.

"We'll let Rishi pay his bit and people can buy a bit of food and when he pulls it, we'll see," he added.

Jodie Turner, who runs Number 50 Tearoom in Duston, said they have to put time limits on tables to give as many customers as possible a chance to eat-in due to the high demand.

Afternoon teas and breakfasts have been the most popular choices, according to the Main Road cafe owner, with no drop in trade on the 'off-days' for the scheme.

Jodie added that whole families are now going out together and customers are opting for more expensive items or more courses to make the most of the offer.

"It's really nice to see people back out and we've seen some new customers which is lovely," she said.

"It's great that people are venturing out and feel confident again."

Jodie just wished the scheme would not end but understood the government could not pay for it forever and hoped more support would come their way.

"I would like it to stay for longer as that's the fear, we're not sure what's going to happen when it ends," she said.

"But once people have seen it's safe, it will give people the confidence to continue coming out maybe not every day but they might think of other places to go."

Mark Mullen, operations manager of Northampton town centre Business Improvement District, believes the first week of the scheme was a huge success.

"Town centre businesses have been overwhelmed and delighted with the public response," he said.

“The additional visitors and shoppers mean that Monday to Wednesday has become the new weekend.

"Essentially, weekends continue to be busy too, so the government promotion hasn’t displaced the trade, it has simply added to it which is excellent news in these challenging times.”

Merlin's Tandoori was one of the many restaurants to sign up for the scheme ahead of its launch but was unable to offer it for the first week because of an administration issue.

That has been resolved now and customers can get half-price meals at the family-run curry house on Wellingborough Road.

Manager Noor Miah said it was quieter from Thursday to Sunday as a result but the extra trade earlier in the week covers any losses.

"I'm not sure how much the scheme will help but let's see what happens as there are another few weeks to go and we may gain some new customers and hopefully they come back again," he said.

Customers do not need a voucher to use the scheme, can use it at the same time as other offers and discounts and as many times as they like - there is no minimum spend.

Alcoholic drinks and service charges are excluded from the offer. For more information, visit gov.uk/guidance/get-a-discount-with-the-eat-out-to-help-out-scheme.