Hungry diners in Portsmouth, Fareham and Gosport enjoy half price grub thanks to Eat Out To Help Out Scheme

Yesterday saw the start of the government’s Eat Out To Help Out Scheme - which gives people up to 50 per cent off their bills on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout August.

More than 72,000 establishments across the country are taking part, with nearly 7,000 in the south east, plus many more restaurant chains.

One pub to see a benefit is The Brickmakers in Swanmore. Landlady Koren Blake, who has run the pub for nine years with her husband Gareth, said the incentive was a lifeline for her business.

She said: ‘We were so busy on Monday night - it was like a Saturday night and we are fully booked tonight. It has encouraged people to come out and to see how we are operating and see that it is safe.’

The pub only reopened on Thursday after an extended period closed while they carried out a refurbishment

Friends and work colleagues Tom Lampitt, 36, and Brian Rands, 62, enjoyed a meal in the pub at lunchtime.

Tom, from Swanmore, said: ‘We have very much enjoyed our lunch. It was our first time out and I felt very safe.

‘I would encourage people to come down here and show their support. It is a case of use it or lose it.’

Brian said: ‘We thought that we would support our local pub as they have only just reopened and we are very pleased that the Chancellor has given us the incentive to come out. We felt that it was a moment to make a statement and move forward.’

The scheme – part of the government’s Plan for Jobs that hopes to spur the country’s economic recovery from coronavirus – applies to all food and non-alcoholic drinks, with a maximum discount per person of £10.

Elsewhere diners packed out Porters in Albert Road, Southsea. Landlord Joe Collis said he hoped it would mark the start of a recovery.

He said: ‘It has been incredibly tough. Everybody in the industry has been struggling. We have been really fortunate that so many of our locals have come in to support us since we reopened.

‘I hope this scheme gives people the incentive to eat out and help us get back to business.’

In Fareham, Crumblejack in West Street, Fareham also saw a rise in customer satisfaction at the new low prices.

Manager JoJo Cheung said: ‘A lot of customers aren’t aware of the scheme. They are all very shocked when the bill comes down by half. So I believe it will get more popular from next week.’

Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage gave her support and encouraged people to enjoy it.

She said: ‘The Eat Out To Help Out scheme is a great way to boost local businesses and protect jobs across our fantastic hospitality sector. I encourage all of my constituents to enjoy summer safely and, if possible, to go out and support some of our fantastic local restaurants.’

At Whiteley Shopping Centre 10 of its restaurants and cafes are participating.

To find out which businesses are taking part go to tax.service.gov.uk/eat-out-to-help-out/find-a-restaurant