Government to offer 50% off discounts on eating out in August - MSE News

strawb_shortcake

X said:

Marvel1 said:

The amount of money I have saved since lockdown has made me release how much I waste eating out etc.  Going to keep saving.

I guesstimated my almost every morning coffee plus an occasional bite to eat, would have cost me in the region of £300 if I had maintained my habit during lockdown.

Somehow I've still managed to put on weight though!

My Niece told me she and her Husband were saving £120 a week by not having take aways!!

dreamypuma

Newnoel said:

Can this 50% subsidy be augmented with an existing 2 for 1 offer? If so, could you end up eating for free?

Yes, I believe the 50% off can be used in addition to existing offers and vouchers. But free? How's that work then?

qwert10

dreamypuma said:

Newnoel said:

Can this 50% subsidy be augmented with an existing 2 for 1 offer? If so, could you end up eating for free?

Yes, I believe the 50% off can be used in addition to existing offers and vouchers. But free? How's that work then?

Well if you used the bogof voucher first then £10 off per person govt offer it won't cost the customer much and might even be free. But alcoholic drinks not included n the £10 govt offer.

X

qwert10 said:

dreamypuma said:

Newnoel said:

Can this 50% subsidy be augmented with an existing 2 for 1 offer? If so, could you end up eating for free?

Yes, I believe the 50% off can be used in addition to existing offers and vouchers. But free? How's that work then?

Well if you used the bogof voucher first then £10 off per person govt offer it won't cost the customer much and might even be free. But alcoholic drinks not included n the £10 govt offer.

Don't forget, it's a maximum of £10 off (@50%), so you would still have to fork out £10 for a £20 meal, even if the establishment accepts a BOGOF voucher.

ceremony

Newnoel said:

Can this 50% subsidy be augmented with an existing 2 for 1 offer? If so, could you end up eating for free?

Supposedly the offer stacks, but you'd get a 50% government discount applied on the remaining bill after the initial 50% off, so it would be like eating out for 25% of the menu price.

Pulpdiction

My local go to independent restaurant said they'd never heard of it when I got a takeaway on Saturday night, then he told me he wouldn't be passing on the VAT saving and they were closed on a Monday and Tuesday night.  Glad to see the restaurant trade embracing this.

lisyloo

Pulpdiction said:

My local go to independent restaurant said they'd never heard of it when I got a takeaway on Saturday night, then he told me he wouldn't be passing on the VAT saving and they were closed on a Monday and Tuesday night.  Glad to see the restaurant trade embracing this.

Perhaps the VAT saving is meant to help the trade not the customer?

Michellelh

With the discount only being applied Monday-Wednesday I can’t see that I’ll get any use from it as I’m at work. When I eat out it’s normally over the weekend during the day and is a little treat to myself on the rare occasion I go shopping.

Takmon

Michellelh said:

With the discount only being applied Monday-Wednesday I can’t see that I’ll get any use from it as I’m at work. When I eat out it’s normally over the weekend during the day and is a little treat to myself on the rare occasion I go shopping.

The whole point is to encourage people to eat out when they normally wouldn't. I don't think many people would be working both lunch time and dinner time every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in August so a lot of people could take advantage of this if they wanted too.

Paul_Herring

The whole point is to encourage people to eat out when they normally wouldn't.

I rather got the impression that it was an attempt to be seen to be doing something, but without actually doing anything effective. Sorta Bread and Circuses, without the circuses. Or bread. And hoping the masses wouldn't notice.

A more effective measure to get people out and spending in this area would have been to not restrict when it could be used, and to not omit alcohol.