These are the businesses planning to extend the Eat Out To Help Out scheme in September

As August draws to a close, the impact of Rishi Sunak’s Eat Out To Help Out scheme has been obvious, with 35 million people using the scheme to eat out within the first two weeks of August.

The offer means customers can enjoy 50% off food and non-alcoholic drinks, up to £10, on Mondays to Wednesdays.

It was created in a bid to encourage people back to restaurants during the coronavirus pandemic.

The government is under pressure to continue the scheme into September, but in the meantime a number of businesses have decided to lengthen the offer.

Read more: What is Britain’s favourite pasta shape?

Some of the restaurants opting to continue the scheme throughout September include:

Signature Group

Based in Scotland, the Signature Group has decided to continue its offering throughout September. With locations including Cold Town House and McLarens on the Corner in Edinburgh, and Church on the Hill in Glasgow, the pub chain will run its discounted offer in the exact same way that the Eat Out To Help Out scheme ran throughout August.

Gaucho

The popular Argentinian steakhouses is will continue to offer the 50% discount into September. With locations in London, Birmingham and Edinburgh, the (normally) rather pricey experience will allow you to enjoy a steak for £8 in September, while burgers are £6.50.

Read more: McVitie’s launches limited edition Christmas flavours

M Restaurants

M Restaurants are the sister-restaurants to the Gaucho group and will continue to run the offer in the same way as Gaucho and the Eat Out To Help Out Scheme throughout September. As part of the offer, you’ll be able to grab a steak for £9.50 at its Victoria and Threadneedle Street, London locations.

Q Hotels Group

Q Hotels is the group behind some of the most sought-after hotels in the country, including the prestigious Oxford Belfry Hotel & Spa, and Winchester's Norton Park. Diners can pick from 23 locations in total - dotted across the UK - where its Monday to Wednesday discount will run until the end of November after the group saw a huge uptake in bookings in August.

Aqua Group

If you’re looking for a special occasion meal, look no further than the Aqua Group’s three restaurants located in the Shard, London. Aqua Shard, Aqua Kyoto and Hutong will all continue the offer, but it’s worth noting there is a £30 per person spending limit to get the discount.

The Coconut Tree

The Sri-Lankan chain has restaurants in Bristol, Cardiff, Cheltenham, Oxford and Bournemouth. The restaurants will offer 50% off all meals on Monday - Wednesday but will waive the £10 per person limit, making the discount on food and soft drinks unlimited. It has already announced that offers will run into October, too, but this will be for lunch only.

Key workers

Although many of the bigger chains will finish the deal at the end of August, some will continue to offer NHS, emergency service and social care workers discounts via the Blue Light Card offered to key workers.

Pizza Hut will offer 50% off of online orders, Whitbread Inns offer 33% off all food and YO! Sushi are giving people 25% off when you dine in, Sunday - Friday.