The new Eat Out to Help Out scheme is ingenious and encourages Brits to support local hospitality businesses while the government fronts half the cost of your order. Many of our favourite fast food places are participating in the scheme such as McDonald's, Wagamama and Nando's.
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Around 72,000 establishments are taking part in the Eat Out to Help Out scheme but many Brits are walking away empty-handed or angry after being asked to pay full price.
That's probably because they didn't quite get the memo that the offer is not valid for takeaways.
Why aren't people getting their discounts?
Many Brits have been rather confused by the name Eat Out to Help Out, thinking that the scheme was implying that it was for takeaways rather than dine-in services. One person commented on Twitter:
Feel totally cheated by Eat Out to Help Out because it’s not for takeaway (called OUT like away not in like INSIDE restaurant) but nevertheless enjoyed my paneer masala dosa from my fave in Tooting.
While another pointed out:
Okay, I’m confused by this Eat Out to Help Out scheme now. It’s not valid on takeaways but is valid on restaurants doing collection only? What’s the difference?!
A third stated:
Apparently the 'Eat Out' discount only applies to dining in and not takeaway?! So shouldn't they have called it 'Eat In to Help Out'?
Many are also stating that an 'Eat In to Help Out' scheme be introduced to allow people to order from home as it is ultimately a safer way to protect themselves against coronavirus.
Of course, if you really are adamant on taking some meals home to eat there may be a little loophole in the scheme.
As the discount only applies to people who go out to eat at restaurants there is nothing to say that you can't sit down then get your food put in a doggy bag for takeaway. Provided you start your meal off sitting down there is nothing to say you can't take your 'leftovers' with you.
Of course, this technique is not in the true spirit of the scheme built to assist restaurants that were affected during the coronavirus, but with coronavirus cases increasing around much of the UK and safety measures not being well enforced if is understandable that many are currently concerned for their health.
Check out the video above to see the rest of the rules of Eat Out to Help Out.
