Dine and discover: Tamworth venues want to know when 'stimulus' voucher scheme will reach city

Residents of the Bega Valley, Sydney and Broken Hill already have access to the four-voucher scheme, after a trial last month.

The vouchers will be rolled out across the rest of the state in coming weeks.

South Tamworth Bowling Club Chief Executive Officer Owen Walker said he can't wait.

"It's a good thing for us because it will give people a reason to come back and try the club or the pub scene depending on which space you're playing in," he said.

The club was closed for much of last year's coronavirus crisis, opening a new restaurant last October.

Mr Walker hopes Tamworth punters will use their two $25 'dine' vouchers to try somewhere they've never been before, something he has vowed to do himself.

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He said the subsidy would stimulate the local economy.

"I can't see why it won't," he said.

"Anything for free is a good thing for people, isn't it. People will want to make sure that they use their vouchers. Obviously in the food industry, there's plenty of options."

Joe Maguire's Pub second-in-charge Kate O'Shaughnessy said they are also expecting to see a boost in custom as a result of the vouchers.

"I think we will see a bit of a boost, I think anyone who enjoys a good meal complimentary of the government will be out and about," she said.

She said the helping hand would help cheer up people who've struggled through a pandemic year, who may have lost their job and no longer be able to afford a night out.

Residents of NSW will get four $25 vouchers from the state government. Two 'dine' vouchers can be redeemed for food - but not alcoholic drinks - at restaurants in NSW, but not on the same occasion, and only from Monday to Thursday except public holidays. They can also spend two additional $25 'discover' vouchers at cultural institutions, live music, and arts venues, any day of the week.

Some 14 Tamworth venues have already signed up to be eligible for the first voucher, with five eligible for the second. They include Chris Watson Travel, the Capitol Theatre, Helloworld Travel, Tamworth Tenpins and the Tamworth Golf Club.

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