THE GOVERNMENT'S new Eat Out to Help Out scheme has shown great promise in bringing life back to restaurants and cafes in the town.

The scheme that launched this month allows for half price dining, up to a maximum discount of £10 per head, when dining at registered businesses every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in August.

Businesses have seen large numbers of bookings as hungry residents seek to make the most of the initiative whilst supporting local businesses in the area that have suffered financially throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

One family run restaurant that has seen a great boost from the scheme is Mario House, based on Dalton Road in Barrow.

The Italian restaurant is owned by Ionut Donocan, the businesses pizza chef, who is aided by his wife and his brother-in-law who specialise in pasta.

The pleased owner Ionut Donocan, said: "It is a very good idea. We had full bookings this week, it was very busy. And we have lots of bookings for next week.

"There's been lots more customers. I see new people come to try our restaurant.

"It is a very good idea and we are very excited.

"The coronavirus pandemic was a big change for the Mario House team.

"We are very proud. We are a big family. Mario House is a big family. It is not just a team. "

To find out which restaurants are taking part in the Eat Out to Help Out scheme near you, visit: www.tax.service.gov.uk/eat-out-to-help-out/find-a-restaurant/ and enter your postcode.