TODAY is the launch of a month-long scheme to give the hospitality industry a boost following the coronavirus lockdown.

The Eat Out to Help Out offer runs until August 31 and the Government is encouraging everyone to take advantage of the discount at participating venues.

The Argus is proud to be backing the scheme and we have published a list of Brighton and Hove restaurants which have already registered.

READ MORE: Eat Out to Help Out: Brighton restaurants offering discount

Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this month, participating restaurants will offer 50 per cent off food and non-alcoholic drinks up to a total value of £10 per person.

You don’t need a voucher to use the scheme and you can use it at the same time as other offers and discounts.

READ MORE: Eat Out to Help Out: Hove restaurants offering discount

There is no minimum spend but alcoholic drinks and service charges are excluded from the offer.

The Argus:

Bruce Samandi, who runs La Piazza in Western Road in Hove, said he already has several bookings for diners keen to take advantage of the scheme.

He said: “A lot of people keep asking us about the deal and if we’re taking part.

“We’re an independent restaurant and we get a lot of locals in here who say they are glad we’re back. It’s so nice to see them again.”

Mr Samandi said reopening after lockdown has not been easy, as some customers did not turn up for bookings.

He added: “We had a few issues to begin with when we reopened so we’re taking deposits now.

“We’re getting there though - weekends are getting busier with this nice weather. We do a very nice Sunday roast which is very popular, as well as pizza and pasta.

“Everything we cook is all fresh and locally sourced.”

Tanjit Calais, who owns the Bali Brasserie in First Avenue, Hove, is hopeful that the Eat Out to Help Out scheme will help get his business going again.

He said: “We’ve only been open just over a week as we have been busy making sure we are totally 100 per cent Covid-19 compliant.

“It’s been a bit slow but at weekends we are looking quite busy.

“I hope the Eat Out to Help Out scheme does help and I think it is quite a generous deal. A family of six could potentially get £60 off their bill.

“Of course we are a restaurant which always had live music and karaoke and the bar is crying out for people to be here dancing again, but it is a new world now.”

The Argus:

Jorge Rodriguez is the manager of Erbe, a new Italian restaurant in Rottingdean.

He said: “We’re doing takeaways at the moment but we’re hoping to open up properly next week when our kitchen is finished.

“We absolutely think this offer will help us get going – it’s a wonderful promotion.”

Since the pandemic began, The Argus has been championing the work of traders across the county through our #BackingSussexBusiness campaign. If you know of a local business battling to do all it can in these tough times, get in touch at laurie.churchman@theargus.co.uk or rose.lock@theargus.co.uk.