London restaurant group Boisdale has issued a series of ‘war bonds’ to raise funds for the business during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The bonds, which range from £39.50 to £1,500, can be redeemed after ‘victory over corona day’ and up to a year afterwards.
Based on the design of the original British Second World War bonds, the scheme covers food and drink offers as well as dining experiences.
Bonds are available to purchase from the Boisdale website until 31 October 2020, and vouchers can be delivered with a personalised message by email or by post.
The restaurant and bar group, which has sites in Belgravia, Mayfair, Canary Wharf and Bishopsgate, is offering bonds for everything from a bottle of Dom Perignon and 30g of Russian Oscietra Caviar for £169.50 (normally £348) to the 20oz Scottish Chateaubriand Bond for £75 (normally £120), intended for two to share, and includes 40g of black truffle, two sides, two chips and two sauces.
The restaurant group is also offering two ‘Wine Bonds’, one allowing guests to try wines up to the value of £120 for £100, and another offering wines up to £675 for £500. Boisdale is selling Private Victory Dinner Party bonds for £1,500, which can be either a lunch or a dinner with food, wine and drinks up to the value of £2,000.
A full list of bonds can be found here.
Boisdale founder Ranald Macdonald said the bonds provided “outstanding opportunities” to celebrate the end of Covid-19.
Since the government enforced the mandatory closure of restaurants on 20 March, many establishments have introduced ‘buy-ahead vouchers’ in an attempt to generate funds.
James Hart, commercial director Harts Group, which owns tapas chain Barrafina, told the FT that vouchers, which it has offered to its customers since February, have so far raised around £80,000. “We’re blown away by the support,” he said.
Some restaurants in the capital have vowed to remain open, operating as takeaways or converting into shops. You can find a list of some of those still open here.
