PEOPLE in Oxfordshire got more than a million meals discounted through the Government’s month-long Eat Out to Help Out scheme, figures reveal.
On Monday’s, Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s in August, diners could get a half price meal at eateries signed up to the scheme and save up to £10 per person.
It was hoped the idea would boost the struggling hospitality industry when the first lockdown had lifted.
It was so successful in the county that some restaurants extended the deal in September, making up the shortfall themselves.
However, the scheme has since been criticised for encouraging people to mingle and further spread coronavirus.
New data from HM Revenues and Customs shows around 1,113,000 cut price meals were claimed at businesses in Oxfordshire.
It meant diners saved an average of £5.66 per meal on average.
Here’s how many meals were claimed in your area and how much businesses, with under 25 chains, were able to claim back from the government:
Oxford
Map of Oxford
Number of restaurants that took part: 204
Total number of meals claimed for: 365,000
Total discount claimed: £2,041,000
Average discount per meal: £5.59
Cherwell
Map of Cherwell
Number of restaurants that took part: 117
Total number of meals claimed for: 204,000
Total discount claimed: £1,097,000
Average discount per meal: £5.37
South Oxfordshire
Map of South Oxfordshire
Number of restaurants that took part: 146
Total number of meals claimed for: 173,000
Total discount claimed: £1,084,000
Average discount per meal: £6.28
Vale of White Horse
Map of the Vale of White Horse
Number of restaurants that took part: 96
Total number of meals claimed for: 165,000
Total discount claimed: £832,000
Average discount per meal: £5.06
West Oxfordshire
Map of West Oxfordshire
Number of restaurants that took part: 128
Total number of meals claimed for: 206,000
Total discount claimed: £1,239,000
Average discount per meal: £6
The eateries were among the 7,823 cafés, restaurants and pubs taking part across the South East and 59,981 across the UK as a whole.
However, HMRC data only covers businesses with fewer than 24 outlets meaning the true figures could be much higher, with many fast-food giants like McDonald’s taking part in the scheme over summer.
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