This summer, families can enjoy more affordable days out and meals at restaurants with the launch of a new savings scheme. The “Great British Summer Savings” initiative has introduced a temporary VAT cut to ease the financial burden on families during the summer months.
Merlin Entertainments, the company that operates popular venues like Alton Towers and Legoland, has adjusted ticket prices to reflect the “summer VAT savings applied.” Advance tickets for both parks now start at £29.75, reduced from £34. Similarly, Longleat safari park in Wiltshire has lowered the price of advance tickets for a family of four from £139.80 to £122.30.
Major cinema chains such as Odeon, Vue, and Cineworld are also participating in the scheme. Odeon has announced a reduction in the price of a family ticket for two adults and two children from £32 to £28.50 for the summer season.
In the realm of dining, popular restaurant chains like Greene King, McDonald’s, Wetherspoons, and Nando’s are offering discounted prices on children’s meals. Nando’s has decreased the cost of its “Nandino” meals from £6.95 to £6.08, while Wetherspoon’s children’s meal price has been slashed from £5.75 to £5.03. McDonald’s is offering a 27% price reduction on a typical Happy Meal, now priced at £2.99.
Participation in the scheme is voluntary for businesses, and it is applicable across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland until September 1. Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of making family moments more affordable, stating, “The cost of living isn’t just about paying the bills, it’s about being able to afford the moments that matter with your family.” Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the positive impact on families and businesses across the UK.
