'Eat Out to Help Out' - Registration Opens

Registration is now open for eligible businesses in the hospitality sector to join the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme.

The measure, designed to encourage diners to visit restaurants and similar establishments, offers a 50% discount up to a value of £10 per person on food and non-alcoholic drinks.

There is no limit to how many times diners can take advantage of the scheme which runs from 3 August to 31 August and comes at no cost to the establishment as the discount is recovered from the government.

Detailed guidance on how the process will work in practice is expected in the coming weeks - details of the scheme released to date (including a link to registration) can be found on the HMRC website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/register-your-establishment-for-the-eat-out-to-help-out-scheme

To summarise:

Eligible businesses include those that:

- sell food for immediate consumption on the premises

- provide their own dining area or shares a dining area with another establishment for eat-in meals

- were registered as a food business with the relevant local authority on or before 7 July

But do not include the following:

- an establishment that only offers takeaway food or drink

- catering services for private functions

- a hotel that provides room service only

- dining services (such as packaged dinner cruises)

- mobile food vans or trailers

Registration is done through the Government Gateway – details required are:

- the Government Gateway ID and password

- the name and address of each establishment to be registered

- the UK bank account number and sort code

- the address on your bank account

You may also need your:

- VAT registration number (if applicable)

- employer PAYE scheme reference number (if applicable)

- Corporation Tax or Self Assessment unique taxpayer reference

Once registered businesses will be issued with a reference number and added to a list of publicly-available establishments. Government-issue promotional materials will also be available to download.

The claim process opens on 7 August and will be able to be made on a weekly basis, with claims being paid within 5 working days.

Claims are taxable and VAT will still need to be paid on the full value of the diners’ bills (at the reduced rate of 5% as a result of the additionally announced hospitality measures).

Eligible businesses will need to record the following (separately for each establishment):

- total number of people who have used the scheme in your establishment

- total value of transactions under the scheme

- total amount of discounts given

We expect it to be a requirement for this to be submitted as part of the claim process.

If you have any questions regarding this or anything else please get in touch, and for regular updates, announcements and news please check our website (www.dsaprospect.co.uk) and make sure you’re following our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dsa-prospect-ltd