DINERS in Colchester and Tendring enjoyed more than 300,000 meals last month as part of the Eat Out to Help Out discount scheme.

Those eating out received a state-backed 50 per cent discount on meals and soft drinks up to £10 each between Mondays and Wednesdays in August.

New data from the Treasury, which is broken down by constituency, has revealed the scheme was a big success in Colchester and Tendring.

In Colchester it shows 119 restaurants took part with 107,000 meals being claimed for.

Read more >>> The Essex restaurants extending their Eat Out to Help Out offer in September

Restaurants in the area claimed back £496,000 from the Government.

The average meal discount came in at £4.63.

In Clacton 104,000 meals were claimed for with 83 restaurants taking part.

Restaurants have made a claim to be reimbursed for £441,000 with the average meal discount sitting at £4.23.

In the Harwich and North Essex Constituency 91 restaurants took part with 90,000 meals claimed for.

In total £548,000 has been claimed back from the Government with the average meal discount at £6.06.

Some restaurants have also decided to self finance their own schemes follow the success.

Gazette:

Picture: PA

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UK Hospitality, said: “The Eat Out To Help Out scheme has been a great success for hospitality.

“Our members have reported very strong bookings throughout August at a time when the sector really needed a boost.

“It has helped provide a lift in consumer confidence which is going to be key for hospitality businesses as they look to reopen and help rebuild the economy.”

Chancellor Rishi Sunak hailed the programme as a “success”.

He said: “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.

“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.”