The Government's Eat Out to Help Out scheme starts on Monday, and city centre businesses have been quick to sign up and take advantage of the initiative to get people into their restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars.

Alex Spurr of The Hispanist in Paragon Arcade said the restaurant has been busy since reopening on 18 July and has revamped its menu of tapas, tacos and other delights in readiness for what they hope will be a rush of business. The menu can be viewed at www.thehispanist.co.uk

She said: “We don’t open on a Monday or Tuesday but we will be welcoming people the rest of the week and will operate the Eat Out to Help Out offer every Wednesday in August. We’ve added some tables in Paragon Arcade itself and they’re proving very popular, as is the new menu!”

Tapasya @ Marina is open seven days a week and plans to offer the discount from Monday to Wednesday at its main restaurant and for diners eating in from Tapasya Kitchen at Trinity Market.

Tanyalak Thai restaurant in George Street has extended its opening hours to give people more opportunities to take up the new offer. The restaurant normally closes on Mondays but will now be open in the evenings seven days a week and for lunch from Monday to Saturday. Full details can be found at www.tanyalak.co.uk

Furley & Co has opened its premises gradually since the Government gave the industry the go-ahead from 4 July, starting with its extensive outdoor area in Princes Dock Street and then opening the reconfigured first floor restaurant. The ground floor has now also reopened and the second floor will soon be ready having been adapted with the use of artworks to create dining booths for up to six people.

Tom Hewitt, Manager at Furley & Co, said: “We managed to get back in business with a special take-away menu which was very popular and we’re adding to that gradually. We’ll be operating the Eat Out to Help Out offer Monday to Wednesday right through the month, hopefully with some lovely weather for people dining outside but also with the indoor option now we’ve made a few changes.”

For details please visit www.furleys.hull.co.uk

Kathryn Shillito, Executive Director of HullBID, said: “We are continually updating the list of venues which are taking part and we would urge businesses to let us know if they sign up and diners to take this fantastic opportunity to explore our superb city centre dining scene.”