A NUMBER of chains and independent restaurants have said that they will keep offering 50 per cent off food after the Eat Out to Help Out scheme ends.

Several restaurants, food chains and pub groups have decided to extend the 50 per cent off discount after it formally closes to keep encouraging customers through the doors.

The Government-backed discount offered anyone dining in on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in August 50 per cent off food and non-alcoholic drinks.

More than 64 million meals have been claimed since the scheme was introduced to help the struggling hospitality industry during the coronavirus pandemic.

Some 84,000 restaurants signed up to the scheme, with the most recent figures showing 64 million discounted meals had been served in the first three weeks alone.

Among those extending the discount scheme is Pizza Hut restaurants which will be offering two for one on main meals Monday to Wednesday from September 7.

Pizza Hut, which has a restaurant in Hollywood Retail Park in Barrow, has announced it will extend the deal until the end of September, but it is only available for people who are signed up to their database.

Other eating places which have extended the deal is Tesco Café in Hindpool Road.

The in-store cafe has extended its Eat Out to Help Out offer across its food and drink menu, until the end of September.

Tesco Café is offering 50 per cent off its full menu with no limits on the discount, for dine in and takeaway, Monday-Wednesday.

The current deal offers a full English Breakfast for just £2.07.

Other eating places taking part across the country include: Toby Carvery, Smiths Restaurant, Q Hotels Group, Perdu Perdu and more.

Dalton Road in Barrow’s Town Centre had ten businesses that signed up to the scheme - which aimed to lure people back to the high street.

The scheme, which officially ended on Wednesday, saw a fresh burst of customers come through traders' doors during August.