Eat Out to Help Out: Registration and How it Works

17th July 2020

The Eat Out to Help Out Scheme

It’s been a jolly tough year so far what with COVID-19 restricting our normal movements and putting a dampener on social occasions. Lockdowns have really impacted the business of restaurants, bars, cafes and pubs which is why a new Eat Out to Help Out scheme has been unveiled. Fish and chips and mouth-watering burgers are back on the menu, but how does the scheme work exactly and what is the registration process for businesses wanting to take part? We’re delving deeper.

What Is Eat Out to Help Out?

The restaurant industry has suffered greatly during the pandemic but with restrictions easing, a new scheme has been announced to help businesses get back on their feet. Eat Out to Help Out essentially offers a 50% discount on eat-in food and non-alcoholic drinks, up to a value of £10 per diner. So, if you’ve not been out for a family feast in some time, this is your chance to do so – cheaply. The government pays the other 50%, helping you to hold onto those much-needed pennies. In order for the offer to be valid, you must visit participating outlets. This includes popular restaurant chains as well as some food halls and work/school canteens. The scheme runs every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between 3-31 August.

Eat Out to Help Out Registration – What You Need to Know

The scheme is obviously attractive to those who want to get out of the house after months of confinement. It’s likely to be popular so it’s well worth jumping on the bandwagon and improving your turnover while you can. No-one knows exactly how long this pandemic will last, but schemes such as this are designed to give the hospitality sector a much-needed boost. You can register online quickly and easily. In order to qualify for registration, your establishment must:

Sell food for immediate consumption on-premise
Have its own or a shared dining area for eat-in meals
Be registered as a food business with the relevant local authority before 7 July

Unfortunately, you won’t qualify for the scheme if you:

Only offer takeaway food and drink
Are a hotel with room service options only
Are a catering service for private functions
Offer dining services such as packaged dinner cruises
Are a mobile food van

If you have fewer than 25 establishments then you must provide details of each one. If you’ve more than 25, you must provide a link to a website that has the trading name and address of each outlet.

I’m Registered – What’s Next?

Once you’ve registered, you’ll receive a reference number which you will need for reimbursement. You can claim reimbursements on a weekly basis from 7 August. These are taxable and you’ll have to pay VAT on the full bill.

When you’ve got the green light, you can then start promoting your involvement in the scheme to consumers. Shout about it online, encourage people to take advantage of discounts across social media and pop a blog on your website about Eat Out to Help Out and your business.