Abuse of Governments dining out offer

I haven't read the small print of what the offer is but surely 50% of an entire meal is the same as 50% of each course. If restaurants are allowing this presumably that means they think the offer is that a meal costs 50% of its usual price.

Agree with Baggs

Typical !

Oh I see, you’re right. What would be the point of doing this then , I wonder? I should have done the maths before I posted. Lol. I was shocked when I heard about it happening in local restaurants but it works out the same. Oops.

I suppose it would make a difference if each of the courses were more expensive . For example 50% off a main course costing £20 would take you to the £10 limit but if you were billed each course separately you might gain more . Typical of some to find a loophole to line their pockets .

Gilly is right - you can game the system if eating in an expensive restaurant as it would be up to £10 off each course.

Ah, I was right, its a maximum of £10 off per person but if you’re spending less than £20 its 50% off. So for instance an £8 starter, they’re getting £4 off, a £25 main, they're getting £10 off then an £8 desert, they’re getting £4 off. So £18 off a meal that should have been £10 off.

Say starter of oysters £20, discount £10
Main of Dover sole £30, discount £10
Etc.

Exactly... instead of £10 off the whole meal...

If this really is happening the restaurants involved should not be allowed to participate, although it’s a bit late for that now.
It is taking money from the government and that of course is the taxpayer.
Many people can’t take part for various reasons while some are out 3 times a week for all of August.

But would you really want to trek from restaurant to restaurant, eating one course in each, pay up and then move on to the next? On the rare occasion that I eat out, I prefer to sit and enjoy the whole meal in one place.

*to get a 50% discount on food or non-alcoholic drinks to eat or drink in (up to a maximum of £10 discount per diner)

*every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between 3 and 31 August

*as many times as you like

(From UK government website)

If the whole meal is going to cost more than £20, they'll gain by being billed for each course.

Restaurants will allow anything if it'll make sales for them, I'd think.

You eat in the same place Chewbacca you just pay for each course separately.

Chewbacca, they’re having all 3 courses in the one restaurant and asking for the bill after each course. Pure greed.

I read somewhere that police canteens, no doubt outsourced to a private company, are offering the Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

Also, I noted when I searched for places near me on the government website a very expensive retirement complex, separate flats, but with on-site facilities, etc., is also in the scheme!

Hardly helpful to local cafes and restaurants!

Boohoo, it's not fair.

The UK government should have thought of that, surely, and made its rules accordingly if it didn't want this to happen.

Maths isn't my strong point, but if you get a discount, surely it's the same whether you pay in one go, or per course?

Overall I think the scheme is a success but there are always those that don't keep within the spirit of things.

Ah yes. gillybob's point is good.

Maybe the idea is to make sure they are getting £10 off per diner.

Ah, that makes slighty more sense, thanks Far north & micky987. Yep, it's greedy and penny pinching. I'd be too embarrassed to do it personally, but some people have thicker brass necks than others I suppose.