How Peterborough’s dining out experience has changed thanks to Eat Out To Help Out scheme

Since the government-backed scheme was introduced on August 3, diners have enjoyed 50 per cent off their meals - up to £10 per person - at more than 100 venues in the city.

Many have reported a surge in bookings Monday to Wednesday when the scheme runs - though some say weekends have dipped -and Peterborough city centre has seen a huge rise in evening footfall on those days.

Prem Devkota at Gurkha Durbaar in Broadway, which usually opens Tuesday to Sunday, will be opening today and next Monday (31st) to help make the most of the incentive and to meet demand, having had to turn down dozens of bookings.

He is also planning to keep the 50 per cent discount in place on Tuesdays throughout September, October and November.

“I think Eat Out To Help Out has been brilliant, it has been great for us and I think for the city centre,” he said.

“Demand has been high and we have been so busy with so many bookings Monday to Wednesday.

“I think the whole dining out experience has changed this month and Fridays and Saturdays have been quieter, but hopefully that will get better in September.

“Some days we have had up to 50 calls from people wanting tables who we have had to turn away.

“So many customers have missed out so we are opening for the last two Mondays in August and we plan to keep the 50 per cent offer running for the next three months, on Tuesdays only. That way those people that missed out will get another chance to try our high quality dishes at a great price.”

It was a similar story around the corner on Westgate at the Banyan Tree.

Owner Dinesh Odedra said he too had been overwhelmed by people wanting a table - and encouragingly business had picked up across the week.

“The third week has seen even greater take up,” he said. “We are turning away upto 40 people per night. Other venues are also very busy and it has provided a feel good factor for the whole hospitality sector.

“Another positive has been a general pick up on other days. People are feeling confident about coming out on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

“Our table distancing, PPE and shortened menu has helped to give customers confidence. It is vital that business maintain protocols and hopefully customers will return.”

In Cowgate, The Pizza Parlour has also been extremely busy.

The government scheme has resulted in an increase in customers Monday to Wednesday, but the Pizza Parlour’s own scheme of carrying an incentive through to Thursdays and Fridays of half pizza, chips and salad for under £4 has meant the upsurge in numbers is week-long.

The restaurant hasn’t needed to overly reduce numbers of covers as it invested heavily in systems to make people safe – thermal imaging upon arrival, bespoke screens to create safe dining booths and of course, an app from which to order and pay.

Near neighbour Nick Rutta, at Embe Soul Food restaurant on Cowgate, was thankful for the support from customers who felt confident dining out again after lockdown.

“The Eat Out scheme has been great; I am glad to see that people have the confidence to come out and enjoy their time while supporting their restaurants,” said Nick.

“We have been consistently fully booked from Monday to Wednesday, and it has been difficult as we have to keep mindful of the no-contact and one metre rule. I am just hoping that this support for our businesses will continue once the scheme ends, and I also hope that the scheme would have been of some benefit to the city economy.”

And on The Embankment, The Chalkboard bistro and tearooms, which has just celebrated its first anniversary at the Key Theatre has regularly been fully booked thanks to the scheme.

But it is not just the city centre establishments who have benefitted, with pubs and restaurants in the surrounding villages proving popular too.

The Cherry House fine dining restaurant in Church Street, Werrington, has seen a dramatic rise in bookings on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (it is closed Mondays) both lunchtimes and evenings, in many cases completely fully booked .

And chef patron Andrew Corrick hasn’t seen the numbers dropped off at weekends either. Albeit total number of covers has been reduced slightly for the purpose of social distancing, The Cherry House benefits from three separate dining areas and beautiful patio and gardens which, subject to the weather, offer further options, so numbers at weekends remain extremely strong.

And in nearby Glinton, Will Frankgate at The Blue Bell, who doesn’t open Mondays and Tuesdays currently, says the response to the scheme on Wednesdays has been very positive.

“We have been fully booked every Wednesday through August but we’re also opening for lunch and dinner on August Bank Holiday Monday as an extra day because of demand,” said Will. “Some establishments decided to offer a set menu for the scheme but we wanted our guests to be able to fully enjoy their dining out experience by sampling everything we would normally offer on our a la carte menu, just with the added extra of the incentive.

“The feedback we’ve had from guests is certainly one of appreciation and not only is it a tremendous boost for all businesses who’ve signed up for the scheme, it too is for everyone who has been able to spend much needed time with family and friends in a safe environment.

“We’re so very thankful for all the support we’ve had from our locals and regular diners since our re-opening.”

In Eye Green, Damian Wawrzyniak said he would be carrying on into September with an incentive for customers, Monday to Wednesday.

He tweeted: “Due to amazing #EatOutToHelpOut scheme we are extending a special deal across September! This time, we won’t be able to claim it back but to survive we would need to keep vibe going!”

He said customers who made reservations would be discounted with 15% off meals from the restaurant menu.

The Pack horse in Northborough will be continuing the 50% discount Monday to Wednesday throughout September.

“We have turned so many people away due to the high demand and already have over 30 bookings,” said Heidi Semple.

And in Elton, Marcus Lamb at The Crown Inn also reported being busy.

“We have been really busy from Monday to Wednesday, pretty much full to capacity,” he said. “However the weather can impact on numbers quite a lot as we are relying on our outdoor area to allow for social distancing.”

Participating establishments may include: restaurants, cafés, bars or pubs,etc .

Gurkha Durbaar, Broadway Peterborough city centre.

Inari Sushi and Grill, Broadway, Peterborough city centre.

Smokin Burgers and Shakes, Broadway, Peterborough city centre.

2020 World Buffet, New Road, Peterborough city centre.

Banyan Tree, Westgate, Peterborough city centre.

XOXO, King Street, Peterborough city centre.

The Pizza House, Cowgate, Peterborough city centre.

Embe, Cowgate, Peterborough city centre.

Tavan, Lincoln Road, Peterborough city centre.

Turkish Kitchen, New Road, Peterborough city centre.

Bombay Brasserie, Broadway, Peterborough city centre.

Pizza Parlour, Cowgate, Peterborough city centre.

The Ladz, Cowgate, Peterborough city centre.

Flame, Broadway, Peterborough city centre.

Turtle Bay, St John’s Square, Peterborough city centre.

The Chalkboard, Peterborough Embankment.

Drapers Arms, Cowgate, Peterborough city centre.

Middleton’s Steak House and Grill, Bridge Street, Peterborough city centre.

Salamis, Broadway, Peterborough city centre.

Cote Brasserie, Church Street, Peterborough city centre.

Forty Two, Broadway, Peterborough city centre.

The Solstice, Northminster, Peterborough city centre.

 Farooj Restaurant, Park Road, Peterborough city centre.

Taj Mahal, Lincoln Road, Peterborough city centre.

Berneliu Uzeiga, Park Road, Peterborough city centre.

MD Coffee, City Road, Peterborough city centre.

Parrotts Fish Parlour, Hereward Cross, Peterborough city centre.

Bull Hotel, Westgate, Peterborough city centre.

Wimpy, Westgate, Peterborough city centre.

Chopstix, Long Causeway, Peterborough city centre.

The Brewery Tap, Westgate, Peterborough city centre.

Bean Around BE.AR. Cathedral Square, Peterborough city centre.

Queens Head, Queen Street, Peterborough city centre.

Tap and Tandoor, Peterborough City Centre.

Heavenly Desserts, Cowgate, Peterborough city centre.

Bewiched Coffee, Bridge Street, Peterborough city centre.

Kaspas Desserts, Bridge Street, Peterborough city centre.

The Great Northern Hotel, Station Approach, Peterborough city centre.

Double Bubble Tea, Rivergate Arcade, Peterborough city centre.

Rico’s Coffee Shop, Rivergate Arcade, Peterborough city centre.

Fratelli Tavola Calda, Rivergate Arcade, Peterborough city centre.

Charters, Town Bridge, Peterborough city centre.

East, Town Bridge, Peterborough city centre.

Cherry House, Werrington village.

Blue Bell, Werrington Village.

Gurkha Lounge, Stewartby Avenue, Hampton Vale.

Mattoni, Stewartby Avenue, Hampton Vale.

House of Feasts, Eye Green.

Bluebell, Glinton village.

Dog in a Doublet, Northside, near Whittlesey.

Mattoni, Eye village.

Pack Horse, Northborough.

The Square, Market Deeping.

Iron Horse Ranchhouse, Market Deeping.

Deeping Stage, Market Deeping.

Golden Pheasant, Etton.

Paper Mills, Wansford.

Ferraris cafe, Mayors Walk, Peterborough.

Baan Thai, Oundle Road, Peterborough.

Roti food bar, Lincoln Road, Peterborough.

A Tasca, Lincoln Road, Peterborough.

Ibrahimi, Sycamore Avenue, Peterborough.

The Dragonfly Hotel, Thorpe Meadows, Peterborough.

Honey Bees, Paston Lane, Peterborough.

The Fayre Spot, The Cresset, Bretton.

Dobbies, Hampton.

Crown Inn, Elton.

White Hart, Ufford.

Black Horse, Elton.

Queen’s Head, Nassington.

Moorhen, Hampton Vale.

Apple Cart, Cardea.

Branches of McDonald’s, Subway, KFC, Burger King and Starbucks are also participating.

Always check with restaurants as capacity is often reduced.