The boss of a Kent pub chain has said Eat Out to Help was one of the main reasons his company made it through the pandemic.

Phil Thorley, of Thorley Taverns, made the comments as the scheme comes under scrutiny during the latest round of the Covid Inquiry.

Today, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who introduced the initiative in 2020 when he was chancellor, will face a second day of questioning over the scheme.

It saw diners receive discounts of up to 50% on meals and soft drinks at pubs and restaurants around the country on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays in a bid to help the heavily hit hospitality industry.

But government scientists revealed they were not asked about the plans and claimed it was "highly likely" to have increased Covid infections and deaths.

Phil Thorley, of Thorley Taverns, which employs more than 400 people in Thanet, says his company had no record of staff spikes in infection during the busy period and that it helped the industry survive.

The operations director, who is also chairman for UK Hospitality, said: “During lockdown we shut all of our businesses for the whole of the period, no takeaways or anything. We complied exactly with the government’s rules.

“When we were allowed to reopen again we didn't make one of our 400 redundant, but kept them on or on furlough.

“Business was challenging and remained challenging for some time. The rule of six and socially distancing from customers was hard. We were open but it was like a boxer fighting with one arm behind their back.

“We welcomed the scheme as it encouraged customers to return. It was a cornerstone of what allowed Thorley Taverns to make it through the pandemic.

“When you have 20 operating sites - like we do - and 400 staff with no income coming in, those were very, very worrying times indeed.

“I was and am still chairing the council for UK Hospitality and we were in direct conversation with the government at that point. We followed their guidelines and felt the whole thing ran very well, very smoothly and it didn't add to any infections whatsoever.

“There were no spikes of staff contracting Covid. The staff were the most exposed but we didn't have any spikes at all.

Other companies agreed with Mr Thorley’s comments and reflected on the hectic period, while some have called for more help from the government as they continue to struggle with high energy bills and the cost of living crisis.

Adam Wyles, who took over the Plough in Sutton Road, Maidstone, a couple of weeks before the pandemic hit said the scheme was vital for them to stay afloat, but it was one of the most stressful times for his staff.

"It was a success and it did keep us open,” the 42-year-old said.

“There were a lot of challenges and demands on our chefs and staff.

“It helped the business, absolutely, but the stress of it for the staff was quite intense.

“It brought people out and you'd get a lot of abuse from people who’d expect this and that. It did help us get through those critical weeks and months, but in terms of the staff and the chefs, it was extremely stressful.”

Tipu Chowdhury, who has run the Spice Hut in Wheeler Street, Maidstone, since it opened 24 years ago, was happy the scheme was introduced but thinks there is still more which can be done to help businesses.

He said: “It was very helpful and we had a very good response, better than normal. It was very busy for us.

“Times are worse at the moment due to electricity and gas rates going up. We were paying £600 a month before on gas but in November we had to pay £1900.

“We need something similar from the government again to help us as we’re very worried about staying open.

"Customers are being very careful with spending their money. People who used to get three pints each time will only get one now. Or those who would get takeaway a couple of times a week will just get it once a fortnight.”

Reece Beard, who worked at the King’s Arms in Sandwich during the scheme, said it was a crazy time to work in the industry.

The 27-year-old said: “It was extremely busy and bought in a lot of customers who would not usually come in.

“People didn't have any patience even though it was quite busy. It was brilliant for the business and it was extremely effective but it was hard work and it seemed to bring out a lot of people who wouldn’t usually come out.”

Speaking today, Rishi Sunak said the aim of the scheme, which cost £840m for August, was to help protect jobs in the hospitality sector.

The policy has been heavily scrutinised by the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, with questions about whether scientists were consulted about the plan and whether it contributed to the spread of infection.

Giving evidence to the inquiry on Monday, Mr Sunak said he still believed Eat Out to Help Out had been the “right thing to do to protect” what he said were “millions” of jobs held by “particularly vulnerable people”.

The Prime Minister was met with heckles as he arrived for the inquiry on Monday morning, with one person holding a sign which said: “Eat, Meet, Die.”