Hailsham pizza van owner ‘angry’ and ‘confused’ at Eat Out To Help Out scheme

Pizza Leonati, owned by Leo Ferenc, has set up for business at the Yewtree Inn, in Chalvington Road, during the scheme as a way to operate as a dine-in service by using the pub’s garden tables.

Leo, 57, said the first week was ‘ticketyboo’ as he was able to offer his customers the 50 per cent off discount - offered on Mondays to Wednesdays until August 31 - and claim the money back from HMRC.

However, on Monday (August 17) after claiming for the second week’s discounts, Leo said HMRC had told him he was not on the scheme’s list anymore, which meant he was unable to get his money back.

The former photographer said, “The whole thing is a mess. I’m very angry about it. It is all legitimate. This is a scheme that is supposed to help our business.

“Like all businesses we are struggling a bit. We saw this as a chance to relaunch ourselves by going to the pub.

“We weren’t even halfway through the scheme and we’ve had it pulled from under our feet.

“We were much busier in our second week. I went to claim the money back online and it said this establishment was no longer registered and I couldn’t get the money back. HMRC still owe me over a thousand pounds.”

Leo said he wants HMRC to clarify why he was struck off the list and has apologised to his customers for the confusion.

He said, “I just want some clarification about why we were removed from the scheme - a very good reason hopefully. The lack of communication is what I am confused about.

“Apologies to our customers. I just want to say we are very sad we can’t offer them the discount in these hard times.”

A HMRC spokesperson said, “We cannot comment on individual cases, however, by midnight on 16 August a total of 48k claims had been received by HMRC, meaning that 35 million covers had been claimed for, amounting to £180 million.

“Provided a business has operated within the terms of the scheme, HMRC will pay claims within 5 working days.”

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