Gourock restaurant has doubled its number of weekday customers thanks to the Eat Out to Help Out scheme

The Cafe Continental has been extremely busy with people flocking to get lunch or dinner at half price.

It is one of many local venues which have been fully booked on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays after the discount scheme was launched by Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

Business owner Gregg McLeod says the number of bookings has doubled between Monday and Wednesdays.

He told the Telegraph: "People like a bargain.

"We are seeing customers we wouldn't normally see.

"It's definitely been a benefit to us.

"Since we reopened four or five weeks ago, people have started coming out bit by bit.

"The faces we normally see have started to come back."

He told the Telegraph that despite the boost, bookings have been slightly down on other days such as Thursdays and Sundays.

Gregg said: "We're probably down about 25 to 30 per cent.

"But the scheme has come as a welcome boost."

Manager Laurie McGilp says the popular venue has been busy but he praised staff and customers for strictly adhering to all the new rules and regulations.

He said: "Folk like to get a bargain but from day one safety has been our priority.

"We don't want to be greedy about it.

"We've been doing well, it's bringing in folk who wouldn't normally have come in.

"It's great to be busy again after being closed after all those months."

Laurie said the addition of the outdoor area at the front of the premises has proved popular.

He told the Tele: "We've had positive feedback about it and all our safety procedures are in place."

Gregg believes that the Cafe's success since re-opening is due to customer confidence in the safety measures, which includes a one-way system and no standing at the bar.

He said: "We have been successful because we have been vigilant.

"The maximum allowed at a table is six and people are not allowed to stand and have conversation with people who are seated at a different table."

He predicts that First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will not allow pubs and restaurants to return to what they were previously until a coronavirus vaccine becomes available.

Gregg said: "Until the a vaccine is found the government won't allow the bars to operate as before."