Eat Out to Help Out

Restaurants and pubs across Warwickshire have been benefiting from the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme in August.

The scheme launched on Monday, August 3 and has seen customers flocking to eat at their favourite local eateries.

It comes after the launch of Warwickshire County Council’s #BuyEatLocal social media campaign, which has urged people to support local businesses in their nearby towns.

Stratford restaurant 33TheScullery was one of many to engage in the #BuyEatLocal campaign.

The British cuisine restaurant, which employs around 10 people, has been open for six years on Greenhill Street and was a latecomer to the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme.

It is owned by Andrew Edwards and Carl Pritchard and they backed #BuyEatLocal to build on their commitment to supporting local producers.

Andrew said: “We’ve always looked to use local suppliers where we can. There is some great produce on our doorstep here in Stratford, we trust in it and it’s honest on the plate.

“We actually didn’t take up Eat Out to Help Out until mid-August but it has been really good and the restaurant has been full most nights.

“At this time of the year we are used to being full with international tourists, however that isn’t possible at the moment and the scheme has encouraged more domestic tourists and local people to join us for a meal.

“It hasn’t affected our weekend trade which has stayed strong, the scheme has been an uplift to the town and Stratford has been busy every evening.

“Lockdown was difficult for us, as it was for all in the sector, but our takeaway menu was a huge success and helped us to tick over. We’ve now been able to bring most of furloughed staff back on board too.”

Café on the Hill, based on Coleshill High Street, was set up in January 2019 by husband and wife duo Tina and Dale Glastonbury.

The café engaged in the #BuyEatLocal scheme and had been open just over a year when lockdown struck.

It was one of a group of businesses to join forces to provide a package of goods for people looking to have home celebrations during lockdown. The café has also been involved in Eat Out to Help Out since the beginning.

Tina said: “It’s certainly been busier with the Eat Out to Help Out scheme. We’ve seen people we haven’t seen before and had regulars coming back.

“The scheme has definitely helped us to keep our heads above water.

“We have tried different things in lockdown such as delivering afternoon teas, and joining with other businesses in the town to create packages for lockdown celebrations, such as cancelled weddings.

“Local businesses in Coleshill have really come together to support each other in these difficult times.”