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Coronavirus meal deal is still a big hit with Inverness diners


By Ian Duncan

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The Eat Out to Help Out scheme has proven popular throughout August.
The Eat Out to Help Out scheme has proven popular throughout August.

Restaurants in Inverness city centre have been busier than ever this month with diners keen to take advantage of the UK government’s money off deal.

The Eat Out to Help Out initiative, which runs from Monday to Wednesday, has just one more week to run and is due to end on Monday.

Norman MacDonald, who runs Café 1 in Castle Street, has noticed an increase in bookings between Mondays and Wednesdays and said: “It’s a great initiative – it is putting cash in our pockets and the pockets of our suppliers.

“As far as I am concerned our customers have enjoyed it and it’s getting people out.”

Katy MacFarlane, who manages Number 27 Bar and Kitchen which is also in Castle Street, said they had also been very busy on the days the offer was running.

She said: “I think it is good to get people out and I think people need that from a mental health point of view.

“We are doing everything that we can to keep people safe and as far as I am aware other businesses are doing the same so people should be okay.”

Brian Phillips, the assistant manager of the Mustard Seed, said Mondays to Wednesdays throughout August had been very busy and added: “It has been really good – it’s just crazy. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday is the new Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

“It’s a good way of getting people out of the house. Since we’ve reopened we have been busy anyway.

“The initiative is such a good idea. Before it started we were pretty much full at night and lunchtimes weren’t as busy – but it has made them much busier.

“It’s good because we are seeing people that haven’t been to the restaurant before – if they enjoy it they will come back.”

Jackie Cuddy, the manager of the Eastgate Shopping Centre, said: “The restaurant voucher scheme has given a real boost to some of the national cafés and food outlets in Eastgate.

“Both Subway and Costa Coffee have seen much needed increased trade at the beginning of the week. Whilst Starbucks in Eastgate are not taking part in the scheme they have chosen to pass the VAT savings back on to their customers.

“The whole bounceback campaign has been a real boost for the city centre and as a BID board member it is good to see Inverness BID working so closely with Highland News and Media to facilitate the articles and showcase the main offers.”

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