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Over £2.5 Million Claimed Back By Island Restaurants After Eat Out To Help Out

Saturday, 30 January 2021 10:26

By Louise Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

More than £2.5 million was claimed back by Island restaurants and eateries following the Government's 'Eat Out To Help Out' scheme in August.

Over 200 Isle of Wight outlets took part in the initiative which aimed to get people to go out to eat at local venues in a bid to kick start the economy following the first lockdown.

It was valid from Monday to Wednesday throughout August, and gave up to 50 percent off on food and drink at participating outlets if people sat and ate out instead of taking away.

A maximum discount of £10 per person per meal was applied with 224 Island restaurants, cafes and pubs claiming back £2,755,000 from HM Revenue and Customs.

Latest government data shows a total of 515,000 meals were discounted through EOHO on the Isle of Wight, at an average of £5.35 per meal.

The average UK meal discount was £5.74.

The government found the local authority areas with the relatively lower levels of discount per meal were around coastal areas such as the Island, Blackpool,  Boston and Skegness.

City centres were found to have higher levels of discount per meal.

On average, each Isle of Wight outlet received £12,300 — higher than the average UK average of £10,198 per outlet.

Across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland more than 106,500,000 meals were claimed for with a total discount of £611,674,038.

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