South Tyneside diners have their say on future of Eat Out to Help Out scheme

The Government incentive, which launched on Monday, August 3 and is due to end at the end of the month, sees the cost of eat-in meals reduced between Mondays and Wednesdays.

Customers’ meals are reduced to half price, up to the value of £10 per head – not including alcohol.

And with the scheme due to end on Monday, August 31, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has called on ministers to extend the scheme into September in support of the leisure and hospitality sector.

We asked Gazette readers whether or not they would like to see the scheme continue, and what their experiences of it have been.

Here’s how you reacted on the Shields Gazette Facebook page:

James Park: “It's not actually free we will have to pay it all back, so the longer it goes on the more debt is being created for us to repay.”

Carol Moore: “Only so much the Government can do, remember we have to pay all the loans back.”

Darren Lynton: “Rather it extended the furlough scheme for sectors that still aren’t allowed to work.”

Dawn Halliday: “Yes I think the scheme has worked really well.”

Nikki Petters: “Absolutely we’re all in this together, good for the economy.”

Elizabeth Anne Dough: “Many businesses would collapse without this offer, so yes from me.”

George Ayton: “Money we cannot afford for calories we definitely do not need.”

Diane Rose Richardson: “I would. Been great for a family meal.”

Susan Davison: “I’d rather see them help the people that can’t afford to eat, rather than those of us who have the luxury of eating out.”

Kev Hall: “It's been good, cheap food, businesses doing well from up but we will end up paying it back in the long run!”

Karen Parker Kirtley: “Wallet says yes, my waist says no.”

Linda Clare: “I think yes as its helping lots of small business who might not survive without it.”

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