Nearly 2 million discounted meals bought in region during Eat Out to Help Out
But scheme has been criticised as 'helping out the virus'.
Diners in the Black Country and Staffordshire bought nearly 2 million discounted meals through the Government's month-long Eat Out to Help Out scheme, figures reveal.
For three days a week in August, people could buy a half price meal at outlets that signed up to the scheme and save up to £10 per person.
The initiative, which saw people flock to pubs, restaurants and cafés across the UK, was largely hailed a success by the hospitality sector but has since been criticised over claims it encouraged further spread of the coronavirus.
New data from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) shows around 427,000 cut price meals were claimed at 179 participating businesses in Dudley. It meant diners saved £5.70 per meal on average. While businesses in the area claimed back £2.4 million from the Government through the scheme.
While in Sandwell, around 393,000 meals were claimed at 178 participating businesses – with diners saving £5.76 per meal on average. Businesses claimed back £2.3 million from the Government.
Around 325,000 meals were claimed at 135 participating businesses in Walsall – with diners saving £5.86 per meal on average. Businesses in the area claimed back £1.9 million from the Government through the scheme.
In Wolverhampton, around 291,000 meals were claimed at 156 participating businesses. Diners saved £5.48 per meal on average – and businesses claimed back £1.6 million from the Government.
The data shows around 283,000 cut price meals were claimed at 135 participating businesses in Stafford. It meant diners saved £5.73 per meal on average – and businesses claimed back £1.6 million from the Government through the scheme.
In South Staffordshire, around 144,000 cut price meals were claimed at 92 participating businesses. It meant diners saved £6.32 per meal on average – and businesses in the area claimed back £912,000 from the Government.
And around 100,000 meals were claimed at 54 participating businesses in Cannock Chase – with diners saving £5.33 per meal on average. Businesses claimed back £532,000 from the Government through the scheme.
Businesses who participated at the time included Vanilla Cafe, in Tettenhall, whose owner Carole Ashworth said when the scheme first launched: "It’s been like a Saturday on a Monday as we have been that busy with people coming in.
"We’ve seen a lot of new people, which is great, and while I anticipate the next few weeks being crazy, it’s great to reward the people who have supported us for the last seven years.”
The Old Glass House in Dudley was another restaurant benefitting from the scene. In August, manager Shakeel Zafer told the Express and Star: "It’s been exceptionally busy over the last few days.
“We’re living in unprecedented times and we found that Tuesday and Wednesday were actually busier than what we get at the weekends.
“It’s actually looking like for the first three days of each week, we’re going to be fully booked up to the end of the month, which is such a boost for us.
“I think that if people can afford to do so and there’s an incentive to do so, then they’ll want to go back to the pub.
“The reception from customers has been great as they keep telling me how much they love a bargain and love seeing what their bills look like at the moment.”
They were among 4,401 cafés, restaurants and pubs to take part across the West Midlands, and 59,981 across the UK as a whole.
However, the HMRC data only covers businesses with fewer than 25 outlets meaning the true figures may be much higher – with many big-name restaurant chains also taking part in the scheme over the summer.
More than 100 million discounted meals were eaten across the UK under the programme to boost the economy by encouraging consumers to dine out after months of being told to stay indoors.
A Treasury spokesman credited Eat Out to Help Out with protecting jobs across the UK and bringing back 400,000 hospitality workers from furlough.
