Edinburgh restaurateur wants to see return of 'Eat Out to Help Out' in November

A RESTAURATEUR has said a repeat of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme in November would be a “life-saver” for the hospitality industry as it faces a “long hard winter” due to Covid.

Graham Bucknall, owner of the Bridge Inn at Ratho, said the usually busy Christmas and New Year season looked “a complete non-starter” and another incentive scheme to encourage diners would make a big difference.

The UK Government’s current 50 per cent discount offer ends on Wednesday and next week employers will have to make a bigger contribution to furlough payments.

Mr Bucknall said the government support had been welcome. “It’s going away at a time at a time when typically our business also starts to fall - people are going back to school, there is no international tourist market, so we see sales down and I don’t think that’s going to be any different this year. We’re facing a very long hard winter with the prospect of no furlough, no other government incentives. It’s going to be tough for us and lots of other operators.

“I think an endless furlough is unrealistic but incentives to help customers feel comfortable and encouraged to come out would be a tremendous help. Eat Out to Help Out in November would be a life-saver.”