RESTAURANTS, pubs, cafes and tearooms are among the venues throughout East Lothian offering people the chance to save on their bill while boosting the local economy.

Throughout August, customers heading to more than 65 businesses throughout the county can get a 50 per cent discount on food or non-alcoholic drinks to eat or drink in (up to a maximum of £10 discount per diner) each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Businesses from Whitecraig and Musselburgh in the west to Dunbar and Innerwick in the east are offering people the chance to make a saving on their bill through the Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

Councillor John McMillan, East Lothian Council’s spokesman for tourism and economic development, stressed the importance of such promotions.

He said: “At a time when we are encouraging folk to stay safe, support local and love East Lothian, Eat Out to Help Out is a great way of supporting many of the fantastic eateries we have throughout the county and doing our bit to help with East Lothian’s economic recovery. Food and drink and hospitality are key sectors and we are keen to promote as much expenditure as possible within the local economy, while enabling our local communities to stay safe.”

Iain Gray MSP welcomed the Scotland Loves Local campaign, which ties in with other campaigns supporting the ‘shop local’ message, such as Love Local Business, run by the Courier, and East Lothian Council’s Stay Safe, Shop Local.

The coronavirus has caused “significant challenges” for town centres, high streets and businesses throughout the county.

Mr Gray encouraged people to get out and support them where possible.

He said: “Our small businesses, whether a pub, cafe, butcher, newsagent or a grocery shop, are the lifeblood of local economies across East Lothian.

“Whether it’s an emergency pint of milk, catching up with old friends in the local pub or having a meal close to home, our town centres have always been there for us.

“Now is the time for us to support them to get back on their feet, by thinking local first. That’s a sentiment I’ve always been pleased to support and help promote, because East Lothian boasts some of the best local shops and businesses anywhere in Scotland.”

DOZENS of restaurants, hotels, cafes and other visitor attractions in the county, such as garden centres, have signed up to the Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

Businesses which have registered for the initiative can be found online via: www.tax.service.gov.uk/eat-out-to-help-out/find-a-restaurant

Here we list the premises taking part in East Lothian. If, for any reason, your business is not listed, please contact us and we will add its name to our online list.

Ducks Inn, Grace of India and Kilspindie Golf Club (Aberlady), Archerfield Links (Archerfield), Carberry Tower (Carberry), The Harbour Takeaway and Cadell’s Café at Cockenzie House and Gardens (Cockenzie and Port Seton), The Castle Inn and The Open Arms Hotel (Dirleton), Café 1650, Dunbar Garden Centre, Dunbar Golf Club, Graze Coffee & Chocolate House, Royal Mackintosh and The Brig & Barrel (Dunbar), Merryhatton Garden Centre (East Fortune), Linton Hotel & Steakhouse and The Crown & Kitchen (East Linton), Garvald Inn (Garvald), The Goblin Ha Hotel and The Tweeddale Arms Hotel (Gifford), Goose on The Green, Greywalls Hotel, Gullane Golf Club, Mallard Hotel, The Bonnie Badger and The Old Clubhouse (Gullane), China Garden, Diggory’s Coffee Shop, Eastern Eye, Falko Café & Restaurant, Pancake Heaven, The Golf Tavern, The Loft Cafe and Bakery, The Waterside Bistro and Tyneside Tavern & Mazzoli Italian Kitchen (Haddington), Thurston Manor Leisure Park (Innerwick), Longniddry Inn and Redhouse Nurseries & Tea Room (Longniddry), Bistro at the Brunton, Buenos Aires Café & Grill, Crollas Italian Kitchen, East Coast, Jumpin Edinburgh, Lanna Thai, Miro’s Village, Muss Bar & Kitchen, Ravelston House, Ship Inn, Subway and S Luca Dairy Ice Cream (Musselburgh), Cucina Amore, Glen Golf Club, Herringbone, Marine Hotel & Spa, Nether Abbey Hotel, No 12 Hotel & Bistro, Osteria, Scottish Seabird Centre, The Puffin, The Ship Inn and Zitto (North Berwick), Prestoungrange Gothenburg (Prestonpans), Brigg Inn Bar & Grill (Tranent), Tyninghame Smithy Tea Room (Tyninghame), One Essence Ltd (Wallyford), Mercat Grill (Whitecraig) and Whitekirk Hill (Whitekirk)