Hungry punters are queueing for hours to score a last-minute meal deal on the last official day of the Government’s Eat Out To Help Out scheme.
While a number of restaurants are unofficially continuing the scheme into September, Monday August 31 has been nicknamed “binge day” as the Government’s scheme comes to an end.
There have been lengthy queues outside branches of McDonald’s, as Maccy D fans happily hung around in the hope of bagging a bargain burger.
One Winchester café reported three-hour queues, with one customer, 25-year-old Brandon Reis, 25, telling Mail Online : “The opportunity to make savings like this may never come again, so I’ve been eating out two to three times a week.”
(Image: Lee McLean/SWNS)
Liezle Greyling, 49, enjoyed a family brunch with her daughters Lilia, 12, and Mea, 9 at a Wetherspoons, in Hammersmith, west London.
“Three breakfasts and juices cost us eight pounds,” she said.
“It’s amazing. We’ve been using the scheme a lot, and have been to places such as Tortilla and Nando’s.”
Announcing the end of the scheme, Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “As the Eat Out to Help Out scheme draws to a close, I want to say thank you to the diners who have fallen back in love with their local.”
(Image: Lee McLean/SWNS)
He continued: “To the managers who have spent weeks ensuring their restaurants were safe and to the chefs, waiters and waitresses across the country who have worked tirelessly, sometimes with more customers than they’ve ever had before – all helping to protect 1.8 million jobs in the hospitality sector.
“The scheme reminded us why we as a nation love dining out and I urge diners to maintain the momentum to help continue our economic recovery.”
It’s not quite over though.
Some national chains such as Pizza Pilgrims, Stonehouse Pizza, Bill’s, Toby Carvery, Harvester, Wetherspoons, Franco Manca, The Real Greek and Tesco cafés have pledged to continue the discount dinners for a few more weeks.