According to the Government British diners used the scheme more than 10.5 million times in the first week. Across the first seven days of the scheme there was a 31% rise in food sales week-on-week.

CGA’s latest Consumer Pulse survey found over a quarter (27%) of UK adults used the scheme by 11 August and even more (31%) said they had not gone yet but they were planning to before the end of August.

According to the research over half (52%) of those who have visited a restaurant or pub said the experience made them feel more confident about going again in the near future.

Karl Chessell, business unit director for food and retail at CGA, said: “This data shows the Eat Out to Help Out scheme is having the desired effect of boosting food sales for restaurants, pubs and others at a time when they need it most.
 
“Along with operators’ stringent hygiene precautions, it is encouraging consumers to venture out and see that they can have a safe as well as good value meal out. As the scheme goes on it will hopefully begin to have a positive impact on footfall on other days of the week too—though it is already clear that the sector will need sustained support from Government after the scheme ends at the end of the month."