BARS and restaurants in the city have seen a spike in trade through a government discount scheme - and now some are calling for it to carry on next month.

Diners in Worcester have been able to take advantage of half-price food through the Government’s ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme with many pubs, cafes, bars and restaurants welcoming the extra trade.

The scheme ends on August 31 and, whilst no indication has been given by the Government that it will continue, some establishments have said they would like to see the discounts continue into September and beyond.

Belgian beer cafe Tripel B in Copenhagen Street has seen some of the busiest days of trading since opening last year, according to owner Craig Finn, who said he would like to see the Government-backed discounts continue past August 31.

Mr Finn said: “It has definitely made us busier on the Monday to Wednesday. Every Tuesday it has been really busy and they have been our busiest Tuesdays by far since we opened and the same for Wednesdays.

“We have definitely been busier overall.”

“Certainly in terms of the benefits it brings it would be useful to extend the scheme. It’s very much like hard work but then we should be grateful of the hard work of course.”

The latest figures revealed more than 35 million meals had been claimed across the country in the first two weeks of the scheme.

Hundreds of pubs, cafes, bars and restaurants in Worcester have taken part in the scheme including many independent businesses.

Coffee Warehouse owner Ayhan Cetin said the scheme had been fantastic for trade at his cafe in Foregate Street and he would also like to see the discounts continue.

“It has been very busy on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday,” he said.

“Actually the rest of the week has been pretty busy too so it’s picked up throughout the week which is really good.

“I can’t just think about me but it would be good for everybody if it could carry on I think but it’s up to the Government isn’t it.

“We’ll have to wait and see.”

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) called on ministers yesterday (August 25) to extend the scheme into September.

Chairman Mike Cherry said: “The scheme has been an overwhelming success in getting people back on their high streets and in their town centres.

“We now need to see it extended to continue the critical support that it is providing for small firms as we enter a period of economic make or break.”

The discount scheme continues today (August 26) before ending on Bank Holiday Monday (August 31).

Visit the Worcester News website to find out which bars, pubs and restaurants are taking part in the Eat Out to Help Out scheme.