Eat Out to Help Out scheme hailed a success as footfall increases in Guildford
Customers are being urged to continue eating out in September.
Diners and restaurant owners across Guildford have hailed the government's Eat Out to Help Out scheme a success.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak launched the campaign at the start of August.
It ran throughout the month and allowed people to get 50 per cent off their food bill, up to a maximum discount of £10 per person, from Monday to Wednesday.
There are more than 100 different places to eat in Guildford, with the majority of the town's national and independent venues taking part in the scheme.
Footfall counters operated by Experience Guildford, the town’s Business Improvement District, showed the average Monday to Wednesday footfall during the campaign period was second only to Saturday, and eclipsed Friday.
There was also a rise in Guildford's week-on-week footfall figures as the campaign continued, reportedly stopping the overall year-on-year decline.
Amanda Masters, chief executive officer of Experience Guildford, said the scheme provided a "much welcome" footfall injection to the town and revenue injection to the venues which used it:
"It has been wonderful to see the campaign gathering momentum over the weeks, and exceptional to see the amount of support that customers have offered our hospitality businesses by getting behind it.
"The UK hospitality sector has suffered massively during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this nationwide campaign has been instrumental in galvanising the sector as a whole, whilst boosting staff morale in the face of continued uncertain times.
"It is for that reason that we urge customers to continue to support all of our food and beverage businesses, be that dining in or takeaway, to take advantage of the continued generous offers that many have introduced, and to not be a ‘no show’, which can cost restaurant businesses, especially independents, dearly."
Following the end of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme on Monday (31 August), many businesses have decided to extend or run their own discount campaigns.
Meanwhile food delivery platform, Deliveroo, has also announced an 'eat in' scheme throughout September to encourage customers to order more takeaways.
Councillor Caroline Reeves, leader of the borough council, said it has been "great to see so many residents and visitors in Guildford enjoying our diverse range of restaurants and pubs safely".
She added the council hopes to see everyone supporting their favourite venues this month.
Meanwhile lead councillor for economy, John Redpath, added:
"Helping our local businesses and hospitality sector remains very important.
"The coronavirus outbreak has been a difficult time for hospitality businesses in particular, and we will continue to do so as much as possible to help our local economy."