A Milton Keynes resident has said she tried to book a table at 21 different pubs and restaurants across the city during the 'Eat Out to Help Out' promotion but all were fully booked.
The local resident contacted MKFM after trying to take advantage of the government 'Eat Out to Help Out' scheme - which offers diners up to 50% off their bill at participating restaurants in Milton Keynes from Monday to Wednesday.
After attempting to find a table at no less than 21 establishments across the city - all of which were fully booked - she eventually gave up trying to source a table for the same evening and had to pre-book one for the following week instead.
There are reports that the scheme has been so popular in Milton Keynes that pubs and restaurants are having to turn customers away, with some saying they have never seen their establishments so busy during the week.
MKFM spoke to one local restaurant owner who said that "Tuesday and Wednesday have now become the busiest days of the week by far".
"We were taking masses of bookings at the start of the month for two to three weeks ahead which is pretty much unheard of for midweek tables except at Christmas."
Residents in Milton Keynes have also been having their say on the scheme on our Facebook page.
One commented: "It has encouraged us as a family to go out and we have decided even after this we need to have that treat each month even if it is just once a month. I’m sure we are not the only family who have realised they don’t do this enough."
Another added: "Normally we as a family can’t afford to eat out so it has been fantastic having family meals at the local pub and brought us together more as a family and off the “gadgets'."
But not everyone has been so praising of the scheme with some residents concerned at the use of government money.
One person commented: "Ultimately it’s coming out of taxpayers money" and another said they would "much rather the funding went to Food Banks, come Autumn they are going to be busier than ever with people who find themselves in financial stress".
The scheme is set to end on August 31st, with a projected cost to the government of £500m.
Have you been using 'Eat Out to Help Out' in Milton Keynes this month? Let us know your thoughts on our Facebook post here.
READ MORE: Your ultimate 'Eat Out to Help Out' guide for Milton Keynes
