Melton area diners claimed discounted meals worth £500,000 last month

Figures released by HMRC today (Friday) reveal that people in this parliamentary constituency area claimed a total of 74,000 meals at the 130 participating pubs, restaurants and cafes.

And each meal was enjoyed at an average discount of £6.54 through the initiative, which was designed to kickstart the hospitality sector and protect jobs in the wake of the coronavirus lockdown.

That was higher than the average discounted meal figure for the East Midlands as a whole, which was recorded as £5.69.

The scheme, which ran throughout August, enabled diners to get 50 per cent off meals up to a maximum of £10 per person on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with the government paying businesses the shortfall.

The total discount claimed across Melton and Rutland has been totted up at £486,000 although this figure only covers the month up to August 27 and businesses have until September 30 to make a claim.

With the scheme said to be excelling expectations, by midnight on August 31 more than 100 million meals were eaten by diners across the UK, with the 84,700 establishments signed up to the scheme making 130,000 claims worth £522 million.

Rutland and Melton MP, Alicia Kearns, said: “Today’s figures continue to show the Eat Out to Help Out scheme has been a success.

“I wish to thank everyone from restaurant owners, to waiters, chefs and diners for taking part in our economic recovery.

“I have no doubt that there are businesses in Rutland and Melton today which, without this brilliant scheme, may not have made it through the summer.

“I hope local people will continue to support them in the months ahead.”