More than 53,000 hospitality venues have signed up to the nationwide Eat Out to Help Out Scheme so far, HMRC revealed last week (Wednesday 29 July).
Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the scheme to offer a discount to diners and encourage them to eat out of home during his Summer Statement on 8 July.
It can be used all day, every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 3 August to 31 August 2020 to offer a 50% discount - up to a maximum of £10 per person - to diners for food and non-alcoholic drinks to eat or drink in.
Online tool
Alcoholic drinks and service charges are, however, excluded from the offer.
There is no limited to the number of times customers can use the offer during this period, however customers cannot get a discount for someone who is not eating or drinking.
Consumers can now use an online finder tool to discover participating venues near them.
Operators will be able to claim the discount back from the Government later this month as this service pub operators will be available on 7 August.
Reimbursed funds
Operators must wait seven days from registration to make their first claim. HMRC will pay eligible claims within five working days.
Claims can be submitted on a weekly basis.
Operators will still need to pay VAT based on the full amount of their customers’ bills and any money they receive through the scheme will be treated as taxable income.
If you haven’t yet registered and would like to, find out how here.
Pub groups that have already registered for the scheme include Brains, BrewDog, Fullers, Greene King, Hall & Woodhouse, Mitchells & Butlers, JD Wetherspoon and Youngs.
