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Will you be eating out to help out?

Will you be eating out to help out?

  • YES - I will be eating out more often due to the scheme

    Votes: 62 29.2%
  • YES - I will be eating out as much as usual, but taking advantage of the scheme

    Votes: 74 34.9%
  • NO - I think it's too dangerous to eat out at the moment

    Votes: 7 3.3%
  • NO - I do not normally eat out and this scheme won't encourage me

    Votes: 45 21.2%
  • I will be eating out but avoiding the scheme as it will make places too busy

    Votes: 2 0.9%
  • Don't know / undecided

    Votes: 3 1.4%
  • NO - I'd like to eat out, but won't while the Covid Secure measures are in place

    Votes: 19 9.0%

  • Total voters
    212
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Yew

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I'm curious regarding those who voted "won't while the Covid Secure measures are in place"; if you think it is safe, and would like to eat out, then there really is no reason not to.

I can understand that some places have measures which some may find to be inconvenient and I totally get why people wish to avoid those, but 'shop around' (or ask others who have been!) and you will find some great places; many of which offer a better experience than normal. I've posted several experiences in the relevant thread.
Indeed, I was at a pub last night that had period-sympathetic frosted glass screens installed, and overall the ambience was rather pleasant. It's also helped that the place was VERY quiet!
 

A Challenge

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Well no-one is going to know, are they!
...assuming you don't use your real details for track and trace.

I will eat out if I get away on holiday, but we are going up to close to the current restricted area and so may not yet make it given the quick changing of restrictions.
 

yorkie

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I'm in the same position but don't the restrictions apply only to eating indoors? Surely a restaurant with an outdoor seating area is OK. ...
Yes, the relevant restriction, applying to the areas in question states:

  • socialise with people you do not live with in other indoor public venues – such as pubs, restaurants, cafes, shops, places of worship, community centres, leisure and entertainment venues, or visitor attractions......

This restriction does not apply to outdoor venues, such as beer gardens or other outdoor eating/drinking areas.
 

geoffk

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...assuming you don't use your real details for track and trace.

I will eat out if I get away on holiday, but we are going up to close to the current restricted area and so may not yet make it given the quick changing of restrictions.
On the few occasions I've been to a pub or cafe recently, I've just given my first name and mobile number. They won't know if I was there alone or with others.
 

Bletchleyite

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On the few occasions I've been to a pub or cafe recently, I've just given my first name and mobile number. They won't know if I was there alone or with others.

The likely process is that if Test and Trace contact them about a case, they will take all the details for that day, then Test and Trace will do some digging by contacting everyone who was there that day and ask them about when they were there, where they sat etc so as to establish who should be asked to isolate, which is likely a relatively small number of people.
 

AdamWW

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The likely process is that if Test and Trace contact them about a case, they will take all the details for that day, then Test and Trace will do some digging by contacting everyone who was there that day and ask them about when they were there, where they sat etc so as to establish who should be asked to isolate, which is likely a relatively small number of people.

And probably a smaller number than it would be if some people weren't failing to give details/giving wrong details out of a fear that everyone who has been in the pub that day will be given a 14 day "prison sentence" regardless of their likelihood of infection.
 

bramling

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Really? As someone who has worked in retail and customer service jobs for most of my life, weekends off are fairly rare. "For those people at work" a meal out on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday isn't always viable. Yet again we have prejudice against people who work late and irregular hours to cater for those who do a nine-to-five, and dismiss them as having "time on their hands" when a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday is often the only time retail and hospitality workers get to let their hair down for an evening.

There's nothing to stop anyone who does a nine-to-five job going out for a meal on a Monday, or whatever day of the week. You don't have to be out late, you don't have to get bladdered. It's not difficult to get home in time to get a decent night's sleep and be up for work the next day.

As it happens I work shifts; no chance of me "eating out to help out" through most of this month even if I wanted to!
 

joystick

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It isn't much fun at the moment with all these silly restrictions, also must of the places we have been to seem to have put there prices up eg £7.50 for a jacket potato with beans :)
 

MontyMinerWA

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Pubs, restaurants, shops.. they all need our business especially now that full furlough payments are tapering off. I feel it's pretty much our civic duty to help them.
There are plenty of people in this country who simply do not have the cash to do their "civic duty". This country has been relying on the service sector for far too long and now it's come back to bite us on the backside.
 

185143

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Had a fairly good steak and chips, with a generous helping of onion rings and a cold pint of beer for less than £7 yesterday from Glasshoughton Wetherspoons. Had to queue for around 15 minutes to get in though.
 

james60059

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Personally, I would, BUT I am not prepared to be ushered around like cattle, sit here, don't sit there, then you have to leave straight afterwards - I'm sure I'm not alone in having a natter with others in your party after having a meal and drinks out. Then of course there's the track and trace element, do a 14-day stint in solitary confinement if someone tests positive who has visited the same place.
 

yorksrob

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One thing I hadn't realised was that this works for breakfast too.

Had a fry-up, coffee and a can of pop for three quid. (It was less than that but I let them keep the change.
 

Huntergreed

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Eat out to help out tonight, absolutely fantastic meal at unbelievably good value and there wasn't that much of a difference from the old normal.

Anyone who is sceptical of all the restrictions, I accept shops and transport are bad, but pubs (at least the one I was in) aren't and they're a very enjoyable experience, would highly recommend you get out there to support your local businesses in their time of need :)
 

Scrotnig

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Personally, I would, BUT I am not prepared to be ushered around like cattle, sit here, don't sit there, then you have to leave straight afterwards - I'm sure I'm not alone in having a natter with others in your party after having a meal and drinks out. Then of course there's the track and trace element, do a 14-day stint in solitary confinement if someone tests positive who has visited the same place.
Exactly my feelings I'm afraid which is why I'm sitting it out.
 

Darandio

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Personally, I would, BUT I am not prepared to be ushered around like cattle, sit here, don't sit there, then you have to leave straight afterwards - I'm sure I'm not alone in having a natter with others in your party after having a meal and drinks out. Then of course there's the track and trace element, do a 14-day stint in solitary confinement if someone tests positive who has visited the same place.

I've been out twice this week already and not once have I been ushered like cattle, I was also allowed to finish my meal and subsequent drink at my leisure. Other anecdotes in this thread seem to be largely positive as well.
 

Richard Scott

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Just got back from an evening out, four of us and a bill of under £30. Ok there was a one way system and staff were in masks but rest was normal. An enjoyable meal, give it a go!
 

Darandio

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Exactly my feelings I'm afraid which is why I'm sitting it out.

Whilst i'm sympathetic to your situation, this attitude is quite dismissive to all of the positive anecdotes in the thread and the personal encouragement you have been offered. I offer the following in the best intentions but it seems you are purposely trying look at everything in a negative way and ignore both what is positive and in many cases very near normal. If I knew your location i'd be over there to give you a bit of support and get you out for a bite to eat!
 

Journeyman

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Exactly my feelings I'm afraid which is why I'm sitting it out.

I've had sympathy with you before on your difficulties with masks, but you really are deliberately excluding yourself now. I've had two extremely cheap lunches this week, which were both excellent, and the measures taken by the bars I was in were almost invisible. It was an incredibly close-to-normal experience.
 

Journeyman

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Tomorrow until Sunday I expect restaurants will be very quiet

Very much so. I think you have a choice at the moment - half price food in very crowded venues, or full price food with the whole restaurant to yourself. I'd actually consider the premium worthwhile for an empty cafe to work in. :)
 

Cowley

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Two breakfasts, two coffees, two orange juices in Wetherspoons this morning: £5:30! :lol:
 

telstarbox

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Although it's supposed to be for eating in only, that seems to be unenforceable in the likes of Pret which have a small seating area but most people actually opt for take away.
 

Jamiescott1

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Very much so. I think you have a choice at the moment - half price food in very crowded venues, or full price food with the whole restaurant to yourself. I'd actually consider the premium worthwhile for an empty cafe to work in. :)

Well... not really half price. A tenner off.
 

ChrisC

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I've been out twice this week already and not once have I been ushered like cattle, I was also allowed to finish my meal and subsequent drink at my leisure. Other anecdotes in this thread seem to be largely positive as well.

I had already booked into a independently run hotel in North Yorkshire. I’d not thought about the eating out to help deal when I booked. Been fantastic to have the price of a 3 course evening meal reduced by £10 these last 3 evenings. Apart from tables spaced out, staff wearing masks and no white table cloths etc on the tables it was as normal. Good food, friendly service, not overcrowded and able to take my time and remain at the table as long I wanted for drinks afterwards. Perhaps it has just been in busy city locations where people have been ushered like cattle. It has not been like that in the rural location where I am staying. The hotel food has been great but I think I may eat out somewhere cheaper late afternoon on my final two days rather than pay approx £25-30 full price in my hotel.
 

Scrotnig

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Whilst i'm sympathetic to your situation, this attitude is quite dismissive to all of the positive anecdotes in the thread and the personal encouragement you have been offered. I offer the following in the best intentions but it seems you are purposely trying look at everything in a negative way and ignore both what is positive and in many cases very near normal. If I knew your location i'd be over there to give you a bit of support and get you out for a bite to eat!
I've had sympathy with you before on your difficulties with masks, but you really are deliberately excluding yourself now. I've had two extremely cheap lunches this week, which were both excellent, and the measures taken by the bars I was in were almost invisible. It was an incredibly close-to-normal experience.
I'm sure you're both right but at the moment I struggle with the entire concept. Especially the risk of a 14 day prison sentence which I can't viably take.
 

Journeyman

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I'm sure you're both right but at the moment I struggle with the entire concept. Especially the risk of a 14 day prison sentence which I can't viably take.

But it sounds like you never go out anyway, so the effect is the same.
 
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