A NUMBER of restaurants in Helensburgh and Lomond have extended an offer of half price midweek meals, despite the UK Government scheme officially ending this week.
The Eat Out to Help Out initiative, launched by Chancellor Rishi Sunak to boost the hospitality sector following the relaxation of lockdown rules, ended on Monday, August 31.
Around 84,000 outlets throughout the UK signed up for the scheme which gave diners a 50 per cent discount - up to a maximum of £10 off per person - on food bills at participating eateries every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday during August.
More than a dozen businesses across Helensburgh and Lomond took advantage of the scheme and several have now confirmed that they are extending the offer throughout September.
As of Thursday, August 27, approximately 85,000 meals had been claimed for under the discount scheme in Argyll and Bute, totalling almost £600,000 worth of savings - an average of £6.71 per meal.
READ MORE: The Helensburgh restaurants taking part in Eat Out to Help Out
In Helensburgh, Cattle and Creel, La Barca and Padrone Pizza, all in West Clyde Street, are offering 25 per cent off à la carte menus through the whole of this month, while The Commodore Inn is offering 50 per cent off mains every Monday-Wednesday until September 9.
Meanwhile Annaya’s Indian in West Princes Street is offering 25 per cent off total food bills every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday until September 30.
Duck Bay Hotel and restaurant has also extended its own version of the offer, with customers receiving 50 per cent off food and non-alcoholic drinks every Monday-Wednesday until the end of the month, up to a maximum of £10 off per head. The Rosslea Hall Hotel in Rhu has also done likewise.
In Arrochar, the Village Inn on Shore Road has done the same, while The Cardross Inn also announced a similar extension.
READ MORE: 'Operation Steak Pie' in Cardross wins major Scottish award
The Cardross Inn’s David Davidson said: “We have been very busy every day that the offer has been on, we’ve been more or less full for lunch and dinner.
“The only problem has been trying to keep up with demand.
“It has definitely been a successful initiative. I would love to see it continued in October or November when furlough and other support schemes come to an end, although it doesn’t look like the government will do that, but it’s been excellent.”
*These are all the restaurants that have confirmed their intentions so far; if you know of anywhere else we haven’t included, let us know by emailing editorial@helensburgh advertiser.co.uk or message us on Facebook.
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