Dr Ben Spencer MP has welcomed the success of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme in Runnymede and Weybridge. More than 49,000 meals were claimed in the constituency under the Government scheme, according to 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 110 in Runnymede and Weybridge.
Both local MP Dr Ben Spencer and Chancellor Rishi Sunak have 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, Dr Ben Spencer MP said:
“I am delighted at the level of support people in Runnymede and Weybridge have provided to our fantastic pubs, restaurants, and cafes, assisted by the Government’s scheme. Eat Out to Help Out was always about far more than just giving people money off their meals – it was about protecting jobs which are reliant on businesses which have really struggled through coronavirus. I would urge everyone to continue to support our local businesses through the months ahead.”
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.”
