THE UK Government has revealed that Vale of Glamorgan diners claimed for £86,000 worth of ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ scheme meals throughout August.

As part of the scheme, diners were entitled to claim a 50 per cent discount on food and non-alcoholic drinks consumed on every Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday – up to the value of £10 – until August 31.

Chancellor of the exchequer, Rishi Sunak announced the scheme as a plan to boost the fortunes of the hospitality industry which has been badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic and the lockdown which forced restaurants and cafes to shut to seat-in customers.

According to government statistics, 99 Vale eateries registered for the scheme with business owners claiming back £86,000.

The average discount per meal was £5.01.

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Sara Cafaro, co-owner with husband Rhys, of Paletta Pizzeria, in High Street, Barry, took part in the scheme.

She said: “It was amazing.

“We were really grateful and we were overwhelmed with the amount of support – emails, messages, phone calls from people wanting to come out.

“It really did kickstart us and helped people to come out and not feel afraid and thought, ‘right, let’s go for it.’

“We saw repeat customers, we saw new customers, and I think it’s just generated a great interest again and people feel confident which is amazing.

“Everyone was very happy that they came out and it was just the first step to get them out.

“It wouldn’t have done it if that hadn’t had happened.

“Everyone felt safe and secure.

“They were just happy to get back to a little bit of normality and see other people.

“They said they had been at home and they’d not heard that noise and the hustle and the bustle which is lovely.”

Mrs Cafaro said she had spotted trends.

“Lots of starters, lots of mains, lots of puddings – the whole hog really, if they were out, they were going out and were spending it all,” she said. “I just couldn’t keep up with demand.

“Everyone was really hungry.”

Secretary of state for Wales, Simon Hart said: “This summer diners all over Wales have enjoyed more than two million discounted meals while protecting the jobs of thousands of people who work in our fantastic hospitality sector. The Eat Out to Help Out scheme has been hugely important in giving businesses and customers alike the confidence to get back to enjoying the best that Wales has to offer.

“It is just one part of the UK Government’s drive to get Wales’ economy moving again which has included supporting more than 500,000 jobs, providing business loans, launching the Kickstart scheme to get young people into work and a VAT cut for the tourism and hospitality sector.”

The figures are up to August 27, 2020, and businesses have until September, 30 to make a claim.