SURVIVING is the priority for bars and restaurants in Dunfermline as they look to welcome customers back.

Businesses across West Fife have signed up to a new scheme from the UK Government to encourage people to support local venues.

The Eat Out to Help Out initiative will start today (Monday) with guests entitled to a 50 per cent discount, up to £10 per person, on food and non-alcoholic drinks on Monday to Wednesday throughout August.

It is music to the ears of the Royal Bengal on Pittencrieff Street who already consider this year to be a “write-off”.

Manager Anis Miah said: “It’s going to help us massively after we were closed for four months for dining.

“This incentive is a win-win. The customer gets up to £10 off each and we claim that £10 back after five days. It’s amazing for us. In effect you, as a customer, would be better off coming in and letting us serve you.

"You don’t have to worry about doing the dishes after yourselves or the hassle of coming here to pick it up to take it away or waiting for a delivery to arrive at your door.

“You get the full service for half the price. It’s a fantastic offer and we pride ourselves on the service we provide. The more customers we get back through the door the better. This year has been a write-off for us already.

“It’s all about survival. We’re not thinking of profit margins and stuff like that. This year is all about the business surviving and saving jobs."

Anis stated that the past four months have been incredibly stressful for the business and staff, with three employees let go during the course of lockdown.

Thankfully, now that the restaurant has re-opened and bookings are picking up again, two of the three staff members have returned with another position now being advertised.

The premises manager of stylish bar and restaurant Fabric, on Dunfermline’s Canmore Street, is also optimistic that the government scheme will see an increase in footfall.

Ajaz Mohammed said: “We have been really busy since opening up again after lockdown as I think people were just relieved to get out and not be stuck at home.

"We were able to place 18 to 20 tables outside and the weather stayed nice for us, which is unusual, for a number of weeks so that helped us. Inside we went from 90 covers to 60, so that is a significant loss to us as that’s a lot of meals.

“Monday to Wednesday is our quietest time so hopefully this incentive will see more people come in. The past few months have been tough. We were able to furlough staff but a few had to be let go due to them joining after the deadline for eligibility to the furlough scheme. That was a real shame.

“We didn’t know how long we’d be closed for so we’re now just trying to get back to welcoming people again.”

Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Claire Baker has raised fears that bars, pubs and restaurants could be facing a “hospitality unemployment crisis”.

She warned that if the furlough scheme ends before a quality Jobs Guarantee Scheme is in place, the jobs of workers in restaurants, bars and cafes could be at risk, including thousands across Fife.

Cafes, bars and restaurants that have signed up to the scheme include Royal Bengal, Fabric, Incontri, Jack ‘O’ Bryan’s, The Old Inn, Cafe Fresh, 1703 Dunfermline, Carlucci Restaurant, Basil, Bob & Berts, Canmore House Bar & Restaurant, Casa Mia and Dhoom.

To view all the businesses taking part click on here