BUSINESSES in the Cotswolds have reacted to the emergency support package announced by the chancellor.

Rishi Sunak unveiled plans yesterday to give everyone in the UK vouchers for money off restaurant bills in August.

In a bid to get the hospitality sector back up and running, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced unprecedented plans for an 'eat out to help out' scheme which will give customers a 50 percent discount from August.

He also announced that there would be a cut in the VAT rate for the hospitality trade from 20 percent down to 5 percent.

For all businesses which sign up to the scheme, there will be a maximum discount of £10 a head on sit down meals, including children.

They can be used on non-alcoholic drinks and will be available from Mondays to Wednesdays.

Something that will not help all businesses according to Cirencester Golden Cross Inn landlord Mark Lindesay.

He said: “Because of this it’s not accessible to all hospitality as wet-led pubs will not see the benefit; many of those are on the edge of bankruptcy.

"We are a family pub and so food is a large part of our business, especially at weekends but this scheme is open earlier in the week.

"We are of course open to the idea and welcome anything at the moment to get the market moving again.”

Rachel Wright, is the director of Teatro Restaurant & Bar in Cirencester and can see how this might benefit the business.

“It was a good announcement. We were expecting something along the lines of the VAT reduction but were surprised about the introduction of the vouchers,” she said.

“We will be registering and intend to incorporate this into our offering.

"We are also looking to do something for NHS workers who dine with us.

"We have a large outdoor space that we would like to see full of friends and families again, all enjoying our great food and each others company again, after all, is that not what all this is about, bringing us out of lockdown and into society.

"We opened last weekend and everyone seemed happy to be out again.

"We look forward to welcoming more people through the gates as we look to possible extending our opening hours”.

The Treasury said the 50 percent discount can be used unlimited times during August and applies to participating restaurants, cafés, and pubs across the UK.

Businesses that want to take part in the scheme will have to register through a website that opens on Monday.

The lower tax rate will be implemented on Wednesday and will remain in place until January 12, 2021.

George Arkell, director of Arkell’s Brewery that own pubs across the Cotswolds, welcomed the news.

He said: “It is great news that the Government have announced such a comprehensive support package to the hospitality trade.

"We have been working extremely hard over the past month to get all of our pubs ready to open and as safe as possible.

"With Rishi’s meal-deal in August and the reduction in VAT beginning next week we are looking forward to welcoming our customers back to our pubs.”