LEIGH'S MP has hailed the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme after figures of its take-up were revealed.

More than 64,000 meals in the Leigh constituency were eaten during the scheme, while in total, more than 100 million were claimed across the UK during August.

In total, 84,700 establishments signed up to the scheme, including 64 throughout the Leigh constituency.

MP James Grundy hailed the success of the scheme, which was designed to support the hospitality industry after a challenging few months because of coronavirus.

The scheme is credited with protecting jobs across the country, with restaurant bookings significantly up on the previous year. Data from OpenTable shows bookings increased by an average of 52 per cent on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the whole of August, compared to the same days in 2019.

James Grundy MP said:

“I am absolutely thrilled at the level of support local people in Leigh have provided to our brilliant restaurants and hospitality businesses.

“Eat Out to Help Out was always about far more than just giving people money off their meals – it was about protecting jobs which are reliant on businesses which have really struggled through coronavirus.

“I have no doubt that there are businesses in Leigh today which, without this brilliant scheme, may not have made it through the summer. I hope local people will continue to support them in the months ahead.”