City Pub Group reveals plans for Eat Out to Help Out extension

City Pub Group has decided to extend the government’s soon-to-end Eat Out To Help Out scheme for another two months across the estate, introducing its own version of the discounting initiative.

Chairman Clive Watson said: “Sales have been given such a well-needed boost this month, and some people are visiting twice in a day for lunch and dinner. The scheme really has encouraged people to come back to pubs.”

Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s scheme to boost hospitality businesses after they were hammered by the virus crisis, runs this month Mondays to Wednesdays. It offers people a discount of up to 50% off meals and soft drinks, up to a maximum up £10 per head off.

Firms, many of which have seen weaker footfall since reopening from lockdown in July, deduct the money off the bill and claim it back from the government.

Watson said Monday-Wednesday sales this month are currently around 50% higher than a year earlier.

He said City Pub Group, which has reopened 32 of its 46 sites so far, will adopt the discounting model, or something similar to it, for September and October to keep enticing new and existing customers.

The group would not be able to claim the money back but Watson believes the move is worth it. He told the Evening Standard: “We are finding customers using Eat Out to Help Out are spending more than they normally would for early in the week, so this is welcome trade.”

The AIM-listed pubs operator joins a handful of London firms that have this week also unveiled plans to keep the offer going even when the government support runs out. Others include tapas chain Brindisa Restaurants and Indian restaurant Benares in Mayfair.