DISTRICT'S DINERS COULDN'T RESIST TAKING A 'GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH' FROM CHANCELLOR RISHI SUNAK

LOCAL FAMILIES TUCK INTO TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DISCOUNTED MEALS IN EAT OUT TO HELP OUT SCHEME

MP Craig Tracey has heralded Atherstone and North Warwickshire's take-up of Eat Out to Help Out as one of the biggest in the country.

The town's MP said the Government scheme which allowed families to dine out on a discount diet for the last month had been a "huge success".

The district's diners couldn't resist tucking into Rishi Sunak's offer to help a hospitality sector decimated by Covid-19.

And the net result of the Chancellor's unprecedented "gift horse in the mouth" has been the consumption of 82,000 meals across Atherstone and North Warwickshire.

The project, which ran in restaurants, cafes and pubs from Monday to Wednesday throughout August, proved so popular that some outlets are continuing their own versions into this month.

One definite starter is the popular Red Lion Hotel in Long Street which is running a £5 menu, alongside the existing one, throughout the month of September.

Latest Treasury figures suggest more than 100 million meals – across 87,000 restaurants – have been claimed since Eat Out to Help Out was launched on August 3 offering the state-funded discount of 50 per cent, which translated to a £10 maximum per diner.

Mr Tracey said: "The scheme launched by the Chancellor has been a huge success here in North Warwickshire.

"This number of 82,000 meals discounted is one of the highest take-ups I've seen.

"The Conservative government stands ready to continue supporting local businesses during this difficult period."

The offer, which did not require a voucher and applied to food and soft drinks, was able to be used with all other promotions and discounts being offered by the venue. It officially ended on August 31.

The ones which took part in the Atherstone area were:

• The White Horse on Long Street, Atherstone;
• The Wine Bar in Church Street, Atherstone;
• Costa Coffee on Long Street, Atherstone
• The Old Red Lion Hotel on Long Street, Atherstone;
• The Black Horse, Long Street, Atherstone;
• The Horse & Jockey, Coleshill Road, Atherstone;
• Blue Boar Inn on Watling Street, Mancetter;
• The Gate Inn, Main Road, Ratcliffe Culey;
• Rose Inn, Main Road, Baxterley;
• The Malt Shovel, Grange Road, Hartshill; and
• The Blue Lion on Church Road, Witherley.

In the end this was one league table the town was happy to head up.