Chesterfield residents urged to back local businesses through eat out to help out scheme

The area’s official tourist board is encouraging local communities to show their support for food and drink businesses in the Peak District and Derbyshire by making use of the Government’s new ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme which launches today.

The nationwide scheme aims to protect jobs in the hospitality industry and incentivise customers to dine out by offering a 50% discount up to a maximum of £10 per person on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at participating establishments throughout August.

Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire says the scheme is a great way not only for local people to rediscover the great food and drink on their doorstep, but also to show their support for local tourism and hospitality businesses which were closed during lockdown.

The Peak District and Derbyshire’s visitor economy supports over 30,000 jobs and it is hoped that ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ will provide a much-needed boost by increasing customer confidence and helping local businesses on the road to recovery.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Marketing Peak District & Derbyshire, says: “The Eat Out to Help Out scheme presents the perfect opportunity to welcome customers back after a very challenging few months and we urge everyone to show their support for local pubs, restaurants, cafes and hotels by dining out and enjoying the Peak District and Derbyshire’s fantastic food and drink offer.

“Our businesses have worked exceptionally hard to reopen their sit-down services in line with government guidelines and not only is the scheme a great excuse for a weekday treat, it’s also going to be pivotal in building customer confidence and helping the hospitality industry to successfully get back on its feet.”

Dom Stevens added: “The Chancellor’s support for the sector is particularly welcome at this time however, we must all ensure we continue to support hospitality businesses beyond the eat out to help out scheme.  With the hospitality sector now fully re-open, the town now has a real opportunity to capitalise on the staycation boom and drive forward its economic recovery.”

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy added: “The re-opening of these businesses is vital for our local economy and will help ensure the longevity of the many brilliant establishments in our borough.”

Destination Chesterfield has prepared a page of Chesterfield and North Derbyshire businesses that are taking part in the eat out to help out scheme at https://www.chesterfield.co.uk/summer/eat-out-to-help-out-in-chesterfield/

The tourist board will be showcasing participating businesses across the region via its popular social media channels and at www.visitpeakdistrict.com/food-and-drink/eat-out-to-help-out.

The Government has also launched a restaurant finder to enable diners to search for participating eateries within a 5 mile radius.

Businesses can register for the scheme until 31 August and can find out more at: www.gov.uk/guidance/register-your-establishment-for-the-eat-out-to-help-out-scheme