Blackpool businesses have been handed more than £43m in coronavirus aid

The figures come from the latest Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy report into how each local authority had processed the various schemes.

Blackpool had been given an initial allocation of £59,124,000 and has made 3,841 grant payments so far.

Fylde was allocated £21,662,000 and has doled out £17,275,000 with 1,483 grants.

Wyre had £31,970,000 and has made 2,300 grants, having handed out £26,705,000 so far.

Preston was initially allocated £34,970,000 and has given out £30,110,000 with 2,525 grants.

Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Business, Enterprise and Job Creation, said: “Over the past few months, our teams have worked so hard to ensure that eligible businesses have received their grant payments on time.

“We are so pleased to have been able to support almost 4,000 local businesses and hope that the assistance has helped to ease some of the financial pressure caused by loss of income as a result of COVID-19.

“We believe that the majority of eligible business owners have now applied for support. However, help is still available for those who have not yet come forward.

"Anyone who feels that their business might qualify for assistance should visit www.blackpool.gov.uk/coronavirus and follow the link in the business support section.”

But the Federation of Small Businesses said that despite the headline Government aid, many more people had received little or nothing.

Chris Manka said: “While the majority of small businesses have been supported by the Chancellor’s emergency measures, some have not. We need the Government to spell out how it will help the newly self-employed and company directors who have once again been overlooked this afternoon, and have now been left without help for more than 100 days during this incredibly difficult period.

“That fact should be recognised once we reach the autumn.”