‘It is win-win, we aren’t going to lose out’ – what Sunderland restaurants are saying about the Government’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ vouchers

During the mini-budget announcement this afternoon (Wednesday, July 8), the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced plans on how the Government will help out the hospitality sector.

Mr Sunak revealed an “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme, which will allow diners to receive a 50% discount up to the value of £10 with the Government supplementing the rest of the bill.

It was also announced that there will be a six-month VAT cut on food, accommodation and attractions – it will go down from 20% to 5% as of July 15 until January 12.

Today, business owners in Sunderland reacted to the news, and how it may help them.

Monie Hussain is the owner of Yuvraaj in Douro Terrace in Sunderland, welcomed the Chancellor’s announcements.

“I think it will be a good thing in terms of keeping business moving and it will probably keep a lot of businesses afloat,” he said.

“As soon as financial crisis hits, the hospitality industry is always the first to be knocked as people look for ways to save money.

“Hopefully it will get people of out the house knowing that they can go and enjoy a meal without spending as much as they normally would.

“Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights tend to be the quieter ones of the week so it could even help to make them busier.”

Ahmet Altikulac, the owner of Turkish restaurant Enfes in Derwent Street, agrees it will be a good thing for the hospitality industry.

He added: “It is win-win really. We aren’t going to be losing out on anything by opting into it.

“We’ve seen in the past, especially during Sunderland Restaurant Week, that when restaurants are promoted with discounts that people come through the door.

“Hopefully it will be a good thing and will have the same effect, so far the support from the Government for the hospitality industry has been great.”

Hayley Tuckwell - who owns The Scullery at Silksworth and Scullery Pier Point at Roker - also welcomed the announcements from the Chancellor to support the hospitality industry.

In particular, she was pleased to see the lowering of VAT – which she says is a “massive” cost which comes out of her venues' profit.

She commented: “For the VAT - that's just an amazing thing to hear. I think it's good, and for the smaller businesses especially, it will get them back up and running.

"I do think it will be a good thing, but if they could keep the VAT down for the future, a good few months or even a year, to get us back on our feet and making profit – we are going to be in the minus for a long time."

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