Overgate retailers hail success of Eat Out to Help Out scheme

Published

20th August 2020

Retailers at Overgate, Dundee are hailing the Eat Out to Help Out scheme as a big success. The centre enjoyed a week-on-week boost in footfall of 19.6% in the first week of the scheme launching and an increase in trade is being reported by all participating cafes and restaurants.

The Government-backed stimulus offers customers 50% off their food and non-alcoholic drinks, up to £10 per person, from Mondays to Wednesdays throughout August, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

Since the scheme was launched on the 3rd of August, Costa has observed a notable increase in spend per head due to a significant number of customers buying add-on items, whilst footfall in the popular cafe has increased by an impressive 20%.

Five Guys has seen its takings jump a staggering 60% on the days the offer applies and is reporting a dramatic number of new customers trying its renowned Scottish beef burgers, hotdogs, sandwiches and moreish milkshakes for the first time.

Subway is another retailer experiencing the positive effects of increased footfall and spend and has announced it will be moving to a full service later this week to meet customer demand. Seating is available in Subway Monday to Wednesday but currently the food outlet offers takeaway-only Thursday to Sunday. This is set to change this week with the opening up again of tables daily. Social distancing and strict hygiene measures will of course remain in place but this customer demand signifies an important next step for Subway, especially in anticipation of the further boost expected with the schools returning.

Debenhams Café and Restaurant has extended its seating outside into the main store. This has been to ensure social distancing but also to maintain its normal seating capacity for diners. Debenhams is reporting a boost to footfall and its overall business in store Monday to Wednesday, and is experiencing a strong response to Eat Out to Help Out. The offer applies across all food and drink categories including full breakfast, afternoon tea and a selected lunch menu and is generating a clear trend of up-purchasing by shoppers.

Elsewhere, Chopstix is experiencing a dramatic increase in new customers keen to try different dishes for the first time, including the company’s hero dish, Salt & Pepper Chicken, as well as new options launched post lockdown such as Chicken Wings in three flavours.

Bibble Milkshake Bar has seen a 25% increase in sales due to the Eat Out to Help Out scheme with its Oreos Cookies & Cream shake as well as the Skittle-infused Rainbow Rush and The Nutella Nutter shakes proving popular.

Muffin Break is reporting steady and constant trade too and Frankie & Benny’s, which is set to reopen on the 24th of August, will also be offering the deal.

Commenting, Malcolm Angus, Centre Manager of Overgate said;
“All the signs so far indicate the Eat Out to Help Out initiative is proving highly popular and it is encouraging to see so many customers visiting Overgate.

“Our retailers have been pulling out the stops to meet the increased demand generated by the scheme, and this positive momentum is boosting the growing return of retailer and customer confidence.”

 

Overgate Nominee Ltd

The Overgate Centre, Dundee is owned and managed by Legal & General, the largest commercial property company in the UK.

Back to news