Thousands of Scottish restaurants and bars sign up for discount scheme

Thousands of restaurants in Scotland have signed up to the UK Government scheme providing a 50% discount on food and non-alcoholic drinks.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak's Eat out to help out'' scheme, designed to encourage a return to the hospitality industry, begins on Monday.

The initiative will provide up to £10 off meals to diners eating out every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday during August at participating businesses.

At least 3,766 outlets in Scotland have signed up, though this figure does not include chains which have more than 26 premises.

Across the UK more than 72,000 individual restaurants, cafes and pubs are taking part.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: Eat out to help out is a fantastic scheme which will help Scotland's hospitality businesses get back on their feet.

I am very pleased that 3,766 Scottish restaurants, bars and cafes have signed up.

This is a great opportunity for people in Scotland to get together with friends and family in a safe environment and get up to 50% off their bill.

The UK Government is doing all it can to drive our economic recovery, and we want to see all sectors of our economy open again where it is safe to do so.''