Northampton curry house urges public to back Eat Out to Help Out vouchers...or risk seeing some town centre venues close for good

Rana Rahman and Bodrul Islam from Saffron

The owner of an award-winning Northampton restaurant has urged everyone to get behind the Government’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ voucher scheme – or risk seeing their favourite town centre venues close for good.

Naz Islam, owner of Saffron in Castilian Street, Northampton, warned the future is looking bleak for a number of independent restaurants in the town centre unless they can welcome in a wave of visitors in the months ahead.

The Government’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ initiative – which sees diners given up to £10 off per person on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in August – is aimed at stimulating growth in an industry which has seen revenue nosedive since the COVID-19 outbreak.

Mr Islam urged residents to support the scheme and visit their favourite restaurant, helping to boost their short-term cash flow and protect their long-term future.

He added: “For many independent restaurants this pandemic has pushed them to the very edge. Places that have been popular for decades have seen their entire income disappear and their future is in the balance.

“We’re one of the lucky ones as we have been able to keep on trading with takeaways but others are really struggling. The ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme is vital to the long-term health of our industry and I would urge everyone to book in and support town centre restaurants in August.

“The food and drink community in Northamptonshire is very special and we are all very much in this together. Whatever food it is that you love – whether it’s a curry, a burger, a pizza or high-end haute cuisine – do your bit and show your appetite for the restaurant sector next month. We need you.”

Throughout lockdown, Saffron has offered NHS and emergency staff 50 per cent off all collection orders.

Saffron has undergone a major refit during the enforced closure and has implemented a range of social distancing measures to ensure diners can enjoy a meal in a safe and secure environment.