Who's eating out to help out?

[Loyalclaret]

Been to the Black Lane Ends, Colne, this evening, not bad on the covid measures - wait at the door to be taken to table, hand sanitiser at door and throughout, all staff in mask/visors, throw away menu.

Lots of young families like ours, should have been £52 =£26. Wife and baby also been to Towneley cafe this aft but they were starting tomorrow as they had not registered in time!

Always hoped the local restaurants would follow Manchester's 50% off in January campaign.

[Dazzler]

I won't be going to a Chinese that's for sure.

[Wellsy1882]

Highly recommend bertrams or wilfreds while you can half price

[Loyalclaret]

Good shout Wells, Wilfreds is worth a visit. We ate there a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed it

[timshorts]

A comparison of Denmark, which had a firm lockdown, with Sweden,
with its notoriously light-touch approach. Aggregate spending dropped 29 per cent in Denmark and 25 per cent in Sweden.

These stats are a week old, but Sweden are/were in the top 5 regarding Corona deaths as a proportion of the population.

1) Belgium (86/100,000)

2) UK (68/100,000)

3) Spain (61/100,000)

4) Italy (58/100,000)

5) Sweden (55/100,000)

Sweden are ranked 8th, Denmark 45th. UK third.
USA 10th. No-one is really challenging our position, although we had a big head start over countries like Peru, Chile, Bolivia. They are presently having a hard time of it. Iran have been accused of non-disclosure of covid deaths whereas UK (just England I think) are accused of going the other way and counting deaths of people that had once had covid even if they died of something else.

[boatshed bill]

It's to help out local businesses how is that a pointless exercise? I'm not talking about mcd but local eateries.

Maybe so. but there's plenty of other businesses they are letting go to the wall. why sponsor eating, something we as a nation do far too much of already?
better spending the money to encourage fitness and tackle obesity.

[Zlatan]

Maybe so. but there's plenty of other businesses they are letting go to the wall. why sponsor eating, something we as a nation do far too much of already?
better spending the money to encourage fitness and tackle obesity.

Indeed, it’s taken a lot longer than it should for swimming pools to reopen, and the surprise there is that it’s a chlorine rich environment that the virus would never survive in.

[boatshed bill]

Indeed, it’s taken a lot longer than it should for swimming pools to reopen, and the surprise there is that it’s a chlorine rich environment that the virus would never survive in.

I drink it regularly. Great mouthwash too.

[Spijed]

Sadly, not everyone can afford to eat out:

https://www.theguardian.com/society/202 ... igPDVee_7Q

[claretonthecoast1882]

Sadly, not everyone can afford to eat out:

https://www.theguardian.com/society/202 ... igPDVee_7Q

Well at least she will be saved from obesity which was your complaint about the scheme yesterday

[RingoMcCartney]

Sadly, not everyone can afford to eat out:

https://www.theguardian.com/society/202 ... igPDVee_7Q

But surely, all she has to do is wait for her monthly "privilege" vouchers to arrive. No?

[KateR]

obviously not everyone can afford to eat out, I certainly view eating out as a treat, where I have lived in Houston 95% of the neighbors eat out at least 5 nights a week. Living the American dream means you both work to have the large home, 2 children and a dog.

A lot of them will have had to learn to cook these past few months though, there are numerous drive through foodbanks scattered around Houston, average wait time in the queue is 3 - 4 hours, pull up, open the tail gate from inside and somebody loads your food in.

No schemes here to help in the way the UK has, there have been incentive checks once, second one being talked about but not issued yet.

Talking about being expensive to eat out,, we got the attached bill in London, hubby nearly fell of his chair, he insisted on keeping the bill though.

[Quickenthetempo]

obviously not everyone can afford to eat out, I certainly view eating out as a treat, where I have lived in Houston 95% of the neighbors eat out at least 5 nights a week. Living the American dream means you both work to have the large home, 2 children and a dog.

A lot of them will have had to learn to cook these past few months though, there are numerous drive through foodbanks scattered around Houston, average wait time in the queue is 3 - 4 hours, pull up, open the tail gate from inside and somebody loads your food in.

No schemes here to help in the way the UK has, there have been incentive checks once, second one being talked about but not issued yet.

Talking about being expensive to eat out,, we got the attached bill in London, hubby nearly fell of his chair, he insisted on keeping the bill though.

That bill looks like a halftime round of drinks at the football.

[evensteadiereddie]

Our village locals are all involved, had a three-courser last night, great food and a fabulous deal.
Booked solid tonight but in for tomorrow's Curry Night.
If only I could stop drinking Pedigree, I'd save a fortune.................

[tarkys_ears]

I'm going out on Thursday to help out, not to gorge myself on stolen taxpayers money.

[CombatClaret]

Had a nice lunch out for my partner's birthday yesterday, the discount made it very good value but tbh we could afford to pay full price anyway. Took a lot of dry food and tins brought during lockdown over to my local food bank recently, would much rather rather have seen half a billion go to people having trouble putting food on the table at home.
I'd like to see the calculations for how many jobs they think it will save.

[Longsider]

Yep, off out for a curry with the family tonight. Trying out a local restaurant to me that we've not been to before. Don't have a lot of time for this government but this is a good bit of work. Hopefully keeps businesses that going over and also promotes a bit of family time.

[evensteadiereddie]

I'm going out on Thursday to help out, not to gorge myself on stolen taxpayers money.

Like a few on here, I suspect, I've paid enough tax in my time so I've absolutely no qualms whatsoever regarding this offer.

It's about the only thing these tossers have done right.

[tarkys_ears]

Oh look, a socialist prick loves freeloading off a government... Who'd have thought it!!!

And as for having paid... You pay to run the country not act like an entitled prick expecting something back

[ClaretCraig]

Maybe so. but there's plenty of other businesses they are letting go to the wall. why sponsor eating, something we as a nation do far too much of already?
better spending the money to encourage fitness and tackle obesity.

So there's been no advice or campaigns already to encourage fitness? What about the bike repair scheme? Cycle to work scheme? People either want to exercise or they don't. I think everyone knows by now the benefits of healthy eating and regular exercise. This is just an incentive to kickstart local eateries.
Some people are just never satisfied. If they give you 500 pounds you'd moan they hadn't given you a thousand.
I'm pretty sure eating out doesn't mean it's got to be junk food.

[ClaretCraig]

I'm going out on Thursday to help out, not to gorge myself on stolen taxpayers money.

Good for you

[evensteadiereddie]

Tarky's , I'm neither a socialist nor a prick, you ignorant berk.

I'm claiming something perfectly legal which is a good deal for me and something which has already ensured three full nights in my local's restaurant. Everybody wins. I can't see why you resent that so much.

**** me, tarky, there's jealousy and there's jealousy.


What's wrong with you, mate ?

[boatshed bill]

Some people are just never satisfied. If they give you 500 pounds you'd moan they hadn't given you a thousand.
I'm pretty sure eating out doesn't mean it's got to be junk food.

Completely wrong. I really don't believe that the British public needs any encouragement to eat, whatever quality of food you may think is OK.
If they gave me £500 i'd give it straight to the RSPB, I don't need meals being bought for me.

[Paul Waine]

Completely wrong. I really don't believe that the British public needs any encouragement to eat, whatever quality of food you may think is OK.
If they gave me £500 i'd give it straight to the RSPB, I don't need meals being bought for me.

Hi boatshed, I don't think it's "for you." It's aimed at the people who work in the bars and restaurants. It's their jobs that we are helping to re-start. We've all got used to staying at home and eating at home. We are paying half and the tax payers are paying half to get jobs going again for the restaurant/bar staff. Bon appetit!

[NewClaret]

Completely wrong. I really don't believe that the British public needs any encouragement to eat, whatever quality of food you may think is OK.
If they gave me £500 i'd give it straight to the RSPB, I don't need meals being bought for me.

Don’t think Government’s goal from this scheme is to encourage eating (presumably people would otherwise eat at home anyway) - its to help save the 1000’s of businesses that have had to close for 4 months, and the millions of jobs in both the restaurants and the food production supply chain that is vital to our economy.

[boatshed bill]

Hi boatshed, I don't think it's "for you." It's aimed at the people who work in the bars and restaurants. It's their jobs that we are helping to re-start. We've all got used to staying at home and eating at home. We are paying half and the tax payers are paying half to get jobs going again for the restaurant/bar staff. Bon appetit!

Why don't they just give the money to those who are losing out?

[ksrclaret]

Had a bit of sushi for lunch today at a well known chain that had signed up to the scheme. First time I've been out to sit in a restaurant or pub since they all reopened and I doubt I'd have done so had this scheme not been in place. It was quite busy and was amazing value with the discount code applied.

I think I'll continue to make use of this scheme once a week until September. Seems a good move all round to me.

[boatshed bill]

Don’t think Government’s goal from this scheme is to encourage eating (presumably people would otherwise eat at home anyway) - its to help save the 1000’s of businesses that have had to close for 4 months, and the millions of jobs in both the restaurants and the food production supply chain that is vital to our economy.

My real gripe with this is the message it sends out. it's not about money, it's the concept that at a time when we are being told that social distancing is best people are being encouraged to go out, Is it coincidental that since the pubs reopened we've had a "spike""?

[Paul Waine]

Why don't they just give the money to those who are losing out?

That bit's been done for 4 months. It's not time for the more usual, worker works, preparing and serving food; people buy what the food and pays half, tax payer pays other half; worker gets paid. Keep that going for 4 weeks, mondays thru wednesdays only and then tax payer will say to us, the people, you're doing a great job, I'm depending on you to keep doing it (and tax payer will stop their bit) and the workers in the restaurants/bars will also be happy to keep doing their bit.

There's "no such thing as a free lunch."

[evensteadiereddie]

It's also to encourage people to go out and, hopefully, be confident enough to go out on a regular basis. Looking around the restaurant last night, there were a lot of regulars and some newcomers so it would be nice if most of these customers are happy to return.
The three lads who run the pub, unpaid, have provided more than 4,000 meals during lockdown, free to those who needed them. Takeaways, Sunday lunch and so on were a tenner each.

Tarky's moronic comment notwithstanding, I will gladly take ad vantage of the Mon - Weds offer and continue to eat there and help them out on other days - if that's OK with him, of course.

I'm not sure what the duty is on a pint of Pedi but of our £48 bill last night for me, my missus and my brother, £20 of that was for beer so Rishi's getting a fair bit back, to be fair.

[evensteadiereddie]

My real gripe with this is the message it sends out. it's not about money, it's the concept that at a time when we are being told that social distancing is best people are being encouraged to go out, Is it coincidental that since the pubs reopened we've had a "spike""?

I'm sure there will be exceptions but the pubs round here are being run tighter than a duck's arse. No ifs, no buts - comply or find another pub.

[CaptJohn]

Taking my Mum & Dad out next Tuesday for a nice lunch in Cheshire
Grosvenor Arms at Aldford.

https://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/grosvenorarms/

[boatshed bill]

I'm sure there will be exceptions but the pubs round here are being run tighter than a duck's arse. No ifs, no buts - comply or find another pub.

Have you visited a seaside holiday town recently? I think it would change your view on this.

[Clarets4me]

Booked at both the " Palazzo " in Burnley centre, and the " Higher Buck " in Waddington for later on this month .... will probably look at booking a couple more. One of the Gents we care for had Sausage, Egg, Beans & Chips and a Coke, at " Brambles Tea Rooms " on Ormerod Street today for £2.70 !!

[NewClaret]

My real gripe with this is the message it sends out. it's not about money, it's the concept that at a time when we are being told that social distancing is best people are being encouraged to go out, Is it coincidental that since the pubs reopened we've had a "spike""?

Don’t want to turn this in to another COVID thread, but think we have to get this in perspective; there’s been 500-1000 cases per day in a population of 70,000,000. The fine balance now will be keeping the economy open, the consequences of not doing so being potentially more severe than the disease, whilst keeping numbers as low as possible.

Presumably the Government designed the scheme to attract custom at otherwise very unpopular times, thus limiting the risk, whilst also implementing in August when businesses have had chance to make their premises COVID secure.

[NewClaret]

Taking my Mum & Dad out next Tuesday for a nice lunch in Cheshire
Grosvenor Arms at Aldford.

https://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/grosvenorarms/

Looks nice. Enjoy Capt.

[boatshed bill]

Don’t want to turn this in to another COVID thread, but think we have to get this in perspective; there’s been 500-1000 cases per day in a population of 70,000,000. The fine balance now will be keeping the economy open, the consequences of not doing so being potentially more severe than the disease, whilst keeping numbers as low as possible.

Presumably the Government designed the scheme to attract custom at otherwise very unpopular times, thus limiting the risk, whilst also implementing in August when businesses have had chance to make their premises COVID secure.

But they are already predicting worse figures in the near future.
They're encouraging people to go out and eat in social environments whilst considering putting the 50-70 age group in compulsory lockdown. Dual standards here, don't you think?

[ElectroClaret]

Spoons brekky, including a brew, £2.90.
Great price.

[Quickenthetempo]

I'm going out on Thursday to help out, not to gorge myself on stolen taxpayers money.

I bet the MPs expenses wind you up then?

[Hapag Lloyd]

Taking my Mum & Dad out next Tuesday for a nice lunch in Cheshire
Grosvenor Arms at Aldford.

https://www.brunningandprice.co.uk/grosvenorarms/

That’s exactly the same menu as the Aspinall arms in Whalley, probably part of the same group.

[Top Claret]

Had lunch out today. Next week booked in at Crow Wood and the week after at the White Swan

[tarkys_ears]

I bet the MPs expenses wind you up then?

Not at all. Why would expenses incurred doing a job, rightfully reclaimed do my head in?

[NewClaret]

But they are already predicting worse figures in the near future.
They're encouraging people to go out and eat in social environments whilst considering putting the 50-70 age group in compulsory lockdown. Dual standards here, don't you think?

Not really mate. Protects the vulnerable whilst allowing the rest of society to live their lives and keep the economy going.

I’m not over 50, so I suppose I might feel differently if I were, but I also think this is media speculation at the minute. Nothing to get worked up about until it actually happens.

That said, I do think a system whereby the economy is open as normal but with the restrictions on who can use it being determined by their age/risk profile would be a better system than what we have now with masks and a million different rules to remember.

[NewClaret]

That’s exactly the same menu as the Aspinall arms in Whalley, probably part of the same group.

Yep it is. Wondered where I’d seen the name before.

[boatshed bill]

Not really mate. Protects the vulnerable whilst allowing the rest of society to live their lives and keep the economy going.

I’m not over 50, so I suppose I might feel differently if I were, but I also think this is media speculation at the minute. Nothing to get worked up about until it actually happens.

That said, I do think a system whereby the economy is open as normal but with the restrictions on who can use it being determined by their age/risk profile would be a better system than what we have now with masks and a million different rules to remember.

What I'm opposed to (I am 68) is that i have made the effort to remain fit and healthy through lifestyle choices, and i could be victimised through what i see as an ageist policy. I see plenty of 30-40 year olds who are blatantly unfit. But I suppose if you want to "support the economy" by eating then you are a much more valued member of society than I am. (PS, I don't mean you personally )

[evensteadiereddie]

I'm a bit younger than you, boatshed, but have also made the effort over the years, mainly running now cycling and skiing, to keep as fit, healthy and as reasonably trim as possible. I'm not going to throw that away and after a scare last week after visiting friends in Huddersfield which involved a rush Covid test on Friday which proved to be negative, thank God, I'm even more determined to be careful. I refuse to hide away, though.

I don't know about the points system that is potentially going to be used - however unlikely that scenario might be - but, no doubt, it will turn out to be the usual, illogical dog's breakfast of a plan we've become so accustomed to over the past few months - largely useless and most certainly unfair.
I will continue to eat out in places I judge to be responsibly run and adhering to current guidelines. Luckily, my local's staff have got it absolutely spot on.

I've no experience of the seaside pubs you mentioned but I did acknowledge there would be exceptions to the well-run places we're lucky enough to have around here.

[CombatClaret]

So there's been no advice or campaigns already to encourage fitness? What about the bike repair scheme? Cycle to work scheme? People either want to exercise or they don't. I think everyone knows by now the benefits of healthy eating and regular exercise. This is just an incentive to kickstart local eateries.

Trouble is the few million spent by the government, health bodies or charities telling us to eat good stuff or exercise is dwarfed by the billions spent by the people who sell the bad stuff.
It's not an even playing field in which we're meant to exercise our free will.

[boatshed bill]

I'm a bit younger than you, boatshed, but have also made the effort over the years, mainly running now cycling and skiing, to keep as fit, healthy and as reasonably trim as possible. I'm not going to throw that away and after a scare last week after visiting friends in Huddersfield which involved a rush Covid test on Friday which proved to be negative, thank God, I'm even more determined to be careful. I refuse to hide away, though.

I don't know about the points system that is potentially going to be used - however unlikely that scenario might be - but, no doubt, it will turn out to be the usual, illogical dog's breakfast of a plan we've become so accustomed to over the past few months - largely useless and most certainly unfair.
I will continue to eat out in places I judge to be responsibly run and adhering to current guidelines. Luckily, my local's staff have got it absolutely spot on.

I've no experience of the seaside pubs you mentioned but I did acknowledge there would be exceptions to the well-run places we're lucky enough to have around here.

To be fair, Eddie, it's what they do outside the establishments, not in them, that is much greater cause for concern.

[NewClaret]

What I'm opposed to (I am 68) is that i have made the effort to remain fit and healthy through lifestyle choices, and i could be victimised through what i see as an ageist policy. I see plenty of 30-40 year olds who are blatantly unfit. But I suppose if you want to "support the economy" by eating then you are a much more valued member of society than I am. (PS, I don't mean you personally )

Eh, don’t pre-judge my age group Bill, I’ve just got back from TheGym in Burnley and I’m in tip-top condition

I’ll also have you know that I have not yet taken advantage of the scheme. I am however going to Cornwall for two weeks and I’ve booked lunch and dinner Monday to Wednesday both weeks, so I’ll be catching up. That’s if all the scoffers on here don’t cause Rishi to ban it by then

If you’ve looked after yourself, hopefully a bit of Botox and a toupee and you’ll pass for 50. Get planning ahead now. I missed the mask fad, so I’m starting a fake ID business for OAPs who want to be 49 - I’ll give you mates rates.

[boatshed bill]

Eh, don’t pre-judge my age group Bill, I’ve just got back from TheGym in Burnley and I’m in tip-top condition

I’ll also have you know that I have not yet taken advantage of the scheme. I am however going to Cornwall for two weeks and I’ve booked lunch and dinner Monday to Wednesday both weeks, so I’ll be catching up. That’s if all the scoffers on here don’t cause Rishi to ban it by then

If you’ve looked after yourself, hopefully a bit of Botox and a toupee and you’ll pass for 50. Get planning ahead now. I missed the mask fad, so I’m starting a fake ID business for OAPs who want to be 49 - I’ll give you mates rates.

No, I'm just going to pretend I'm 71...it seems they are OK.