Epping Forest MP Dame Eleanor Laing is urging people to continue to support local businesses as the UK bounces back from coronavirus.
A total of 79,000 meals were claimed in the Epping Forest constituency under the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme, according to latest statistics.
In total, more than 100 million meals were claimed across the UK under the scheme which ran throughout August.
In total, 84,700 establishments signed up to the scheme, including 98 in the Epping Forest constituency.
Epping Forest MP Dame Eleanor Laing said: "I am absolutely thrilled at the level of support local people in Epping Forest have provided to our brilliant restaurants and hospitality businesses.
“Eat Out to Help Out was always about far more than just giving people money off their meals - it was about protecting jobs which are reliant on businesses which have really struggled through coronavirus.
“I have no doubt that there are businesses in Epping Forest today which, without this brilliant scheme, may not have made it through the summer.
"I hope local people will continue to support them in the months ahead.”
Dame Eleanor added: "The total amount of discount claimed in Epping Forest totalled £559,000 - an average of £7.10 per meal - among the highest in the country, with Epping Forest 35th out of the 650 constituencies for the amount saved per meal.
"That says a lot about the high quality of our restaurants."
