Brits spending 16% more week-on-week as Dishi Rishi’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme gives Britain major boost

BRITS have spent 16 per cent more this week because of Rishi Sunak’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme to boost struggling restaurants and cafes, according to new data.

More than 72,000 restaurants have registered with the scheme which launched on Monday and are seeing their sales spurred on after the financial devastation of the lockdown.

Restaurants have seen 16 per cent boost in salesCredit: PA:Press Association

Brits have been eager to get out and snap up the bargain lunchesCredit: Mirrorpix

The scheme runs Monday to Wednesday with offers all over the countryCredit: Mirrorpix

A waitress served up a treat at a Manchester restaurantCredit: Mercury Press

The scheme which offers 50 per cent up to £10 a head on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in August is expected to cost the Treasury £500 million.

Excited Brits keen to bag a bargain piled into passive queues at restaurants on Monday.

Card data from Sum Up, a contactless payments operator, shows that transactions increased by 16.4 per cent in cafes and restaurants on Monday compared with the same day the previous week.

It also showed the scheme is helping to encourage people to spend money in other places before or after eating out.

The high street is also getting a boost from the discount dining deal, according to figures from retail specialist Springboard.

People visiting the shops by 3pm on Monday was nearly 30 per cent higher than the same day last week, and sales at retail parks and shopping centres was up 19 per cent.

British high streets received a boost from the launch of the government-backed discount dining scheme on Monday, according to industry figures, as restaurants also reported a rise in interest from customers.

Relaxed diners being served food in participating restaurants and cafes were captured in pictures from London and Manchester on Monday.

High streets which have looked like ghost towns for months were filled with people again.

Waiters in masks were snapped taking orders from happy customers and handing out pizza and pasta.

Hundreds of chains, such as Nando’s, Pizza Hut and Wagamama, are offering the discounts – meaning you can pick up a whole meal for under £5 a head.

Many people took to social media to thank Rishi for picking up half of the bill.

The British Hospitality Association said that 85 per cent of its members were taking part in the scheme.

Eat Out to Help Out: Which restaurants, cafes and pubs are taking part?

THE following restaurants, cafes and pubs have already confirmed they’ll be taking part in Eat Out to Help Out.

However, it won’t just be big brands who’ve signed up.

Thousands of local pubs and independent restaurant chains will also offer the scheme – so make sure you check the restaurant finder to see what’s available near you.

More places could sign up in the coming days before the scheme launches on August 3.

For now, the following major food brands have confirmed to be offering Eat Out to Help Out. Check out the full list here.