Eat Out to Help Out scheme boost for Keswick

Keswick cafes, bars, restaurants and bistros are reaping the benefits of the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

Since its launch on 3^rd August, nationally diners have eaten more than 35 million meals and venues in Keswick say the scheme has been very popular in the town.

Diners are entitled to £10 off food and non-alcoholic drinks at places which are taking part Mondays to Wednesdays during August.

The Filling Station, on Crosthwaite Road, started the scheme on 17^th August.

Assistant manager Lorraine Hutton said: “We started then because of the paperwork we needed to do before hand to make sure we would get the money back from the Government.”

She said the café was benefitting from the scheme.

Lorraine added: “People do tend to order more than they can actually eat, but it’s good to be busy.

“We’ve been able to put the café back together since a refurbishment during lockdown and know we’re back to normal. It’s just like how it was before.”

Mike Cornish owns the Ravenstone Lodge in Bassenthwaite.

He said the bistro and coach house restaurant have been very busy since taking part in the scheme.

He added: “We’ve actually been turning people away on Mondays to Wednesday.

“Going by the constant calls we get for bookings through the start of the week, I think we could fill the place five times over.

“The scheme is clearly encouraging people to rediscover the pleasures of eating out.

“People love a freebie and a proportion of people are taking advantage of the scheme.

“Customers have it in their head how much food they can get with the money off, but it’s not affected us adversely.”

However, Liz and Tony McMaster, who own the Middle Ruddings Country Inn & Restaurant in Braithwaite, said their experience of the scheme had not been positive.

Liz said: “We’re too busy and it’s making people very cross.

“The scheme is not spread across the week as it should be, so venues are booked up quickly and customers can’t get tables.

“Having the deal at the start of the week makes it hard for us to staff. We can’t prepare for later in the week.

“The deal also makes customers a little bit demanding. There is an element of greed which is a sad side to the deal. It’s really not what you want to see.”

Richard Walmsley, who owns The Thyme Café Bar & Bistro on Keswick’s Museum Square, said that his business was going “unbelievably” well this August, but did not think it was because of the scheme.

Richard said: “Calls from people asking about the Eat Out to Help Out scheme have been few and far between.

“Keswick is very busy at the moment, and I think with some restaurants not reopening yet, or closing permanently, and with limited seating due to social distancing, choices are limited. The businesses which are open are extremely busy.

He added: “Because Keswick’s a tourist resort, I don’t think the scheme is really necessary for the town.

“In my opinion, the purpose of the offer is to get people out again. It’s for habit-forming people who used to enjoy going out but haven’t quite plucked up the courage to go out yet. They can form the habit of eating out again through the scheme.

“If the scheme’s designed for people like that, then I don’t think it’s quite worked for us, or the Keswick area.

“Most of our customers are tourists, and not many of my regulars have been enticed to come back out yet.

“We’re doing 60 covers a night, which is unheard of, but not many customers are asking about the scheme. The deal’s been a bonus as they would have eaten out anyway.”

60 venues within 5 miles of Keswick’s town centre are taking part in the Eat Out to Help Out scheme: