In these unprecedented times, businesses are extremely concerned about the severe impact that Covid-19 is having.

Punchline reported on Friday (April 3) that Cheltenham Borough Council had responded rapidly by being one of the first councils in the UK to start paying grants to eligible businesses.

To date, almost £5 million in grants and rate relief has been paid to over 300 Cheltenham businesses out of a £24.5 million government funded pot.

But the council is now urging commercial landlords to work together with business tenants, so that they are able to survive through these tough times.

Councillor Steve Jordan leader of the council said: "Cheltenham BID have brought to our attention their significant concerns from many commercial tenants on the level of rent payments still expected. These are shared by our local MP, Cheltenham Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Small Businesses Gloucestershire.

''Whilst we are aware that lots of positive action is being taken by many landlords to support their tenants, from this unprecedented financial storm of closed doors, no cash flow and mounting bills, we would urgently encourage those landlords who have not yet contacted their tenants to do so immediately to explore what interim solutions can be agreed to ensure the continued viability of important local businesses.

''We are also aware of many innovative local arrangements between landlords and tenants, and local business professional bodies; such as the BID and FSB, are able to provide examples of solutions that have been agreed to ensure local businesses can remain viable.

''I and other representative groups believe that there is both a moral, ethical and commercial imperative for landlords and tenants to work together to ensure Cheltenham's business community is best placed for when the situation changes.

''We fully understand that this will equally impose a short-term impact on the financial standing of property portfolios, but against this will be the risk of losing tenants permanently and facing long-term voids, given not only the length of the disruption but the unknown length of the recovery for each and every business.''

A full range of business support measures can be found at www.cheltenham.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-advice.