UK high streets get boost as 'eat out to help out' scheme begins

Data shows nearly 30% more people visited high streets compared with same time last week

British high streets received a boost from the launch of the government-backed discount dining scheme on Monday, according to industry figures, as restaurants also reported a rise in interest from customers.

Data on shopper visits showed that by 3pm on Monday the number of people hitting the high street was up nearly 30% on the same day last week, while across all destination including retail parks and shopping centres the rise was 19%. Although the numbers from the retail specialist Springboard capture all shopping outlets, they will have covered many of the 72,000 cafes, pubs and restaurants that have signed up to the half-price eat out to help out" scheme.

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