The chancellor of the United Kingdom, Rishi Sunak, has once again opened the purse strings of the treasury's coffers in a bid to boost the country's hospitality industry - including Hitchin.

The Eat Out to Help Out Scheme starts on Monday, with diners able to claim 50 per cent off food and drinks at participating restaurants during the month of August

The project, which Mr Sunak says has "has never been tried in the UK before" is sure to boost Hitchin - renowned as a town packed with excellent restaurants and eateries.

How does the Eat Out to Help Out scheme work?

No vouchers are required. If you eat out from today, Monday to Wednesday throughout the whole of August you only will pay half price for your meal up to the value of £10 per person, however, alcohol is not included.

Businesses taking part in Hitchin are then able to claim the money back from the state in a project intended to lure diners back to restaurants and boost eateries struggling with the after-effects of lockdown, caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Businesses should then be reimbursed within a week.

Announcing the scheme earlier this month Sunak said: "I know people are cautious about going out. But we wouldn't have lifted the restrictions if we didn't think we could do so, safely."

The scheme means that a family of four can eat out for £40 instead of £80.

The list of restaurants in Hitchin taking part in the scheme are as follows.

Lussmanns, Bar Azita, Deroka, The Groundworks, Chilli B's, Kite at The Red Hart, Fussey & Baer, Regent Cottage, Costa Cofffee, Los Reyes, Mevan and Bridge Street Bistro.

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