Take-up of Eat Out to Help Out discount in Crawley revealed

Participating eateries offered money off on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the month of August.

In the Crawley constituency, more than 86,000 meals were claimed across 68 locations.

The total discount given amounted to £393,000 at an average of £4.58.

According to the Government the scheme is credited with helping to protect 1.8million jobs across the country.

Data from OpenTable shows bookings increased by an average of 52 per cent on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the whole of August, compared to the same days in 2019.

Crawley MP Henry Smith said: “I’m thrilled at the level of support which people in Crawley have provided to our restaurants and hospitality businesses with 86,000 meals discounted in Crawley. I’ve certainly enjoyed a number of delicious, good value meals locally as a result.

“Eat Out to Help Out was always about far more than just giving people money off their meals – it was about protecting jobs which are reliant on businesses which have really struggled through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I have no doubt that there are businesses in Crawley 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.”

Chancellor Rishi Sunak added: “From the get-go our mission has been to protect jobs, and to do this we needed to be creative, brave and try things that no government has ever done before.

“Today’s figures continue to show Eat Out to Help Out has been a success. I want to thank everyone, from restaurant owners to waiters, chefs and diners, for embracing it and helping drive our economic recovery.

“The scheme is just one part of our Plan for Jobs and we will continue to protect, support and create jobs to ensure we come back stronger as a nation.”

The local breakdowns do not take into account registered businesses with more than 25 outlets, who are not required to provide individual restaurant details.

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