Restaurants in eastern India are taking a cue from the Boris Johnson government’s “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme to increase footfall during the festive period.

The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Eastern India (HRAEI) said on Monday it had devised a scheme called “Dine Out to Help Out” to influence diners to support local restaurants, whose businesses have taken a hit because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown imposed in March to slow down the spread of the disease.

According to the scheme, participating establishments can offer a flat 20 per cent discount on food and non-alcoholic beverages to all their patrons from Monday to Thursday between October 12 and November 12.

The minimum bill has to be Rs 500 for the discount to come into effect.

The idea, according to HRAEI, is inspired by the initiative taken by the UK government in August. British politician and chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak (son-in-law of N.R. Narayana Murthy) devised a scheme whereby diners got a 50 per cent discount on food and non-alcoholic beverages, upto GBP 10 per diner, when eating at a restaurant.

The half-price scheme became popular and reportedly around 100 million meals were eaten at restaurants in the UK by the end of August.

Here, there is no government support but members of HRAEI said already over 100 restaurants — including those in leading hotels in the city such as Taj Bengal, The Park, JW Marriott, Hyatt Regency, Novotel, Vivanta, HHI, Westin, Fairfield and Pride Plaza — were among those that had shown interest in the scheme.

Hotels and restaurants in Guwahati, Kalimpong and Durgapur, too, are willing to participate in the scheme.

The offer will not be available on the six days of Durga Puja — October 21 to 26.

The association said member establishments were free to run the scheme at all or some of their outlets.

“We have done a survey in the market among regular diners, who are currently avoiding eating out for fear of the virus or because they are being restrained about expenses. With the present dip in the economic situation in the country, discount offers like these are expected to be received with enthusiasm among guests. This will gradually increase the footfall in our members’ establishments, which is imperative for businesses to succeed,” said Sudesh Poddar, the president of the HRAEI.