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The call comes as many firms form the sector on the Fylde coast have fallen between the gaps in the Government’s raft of support measures for businesses nationally.

Although many firms and self-employed workers in the town are already benefiting from the broad range of packages, some companies and individuals have not qualified for support so far due to the nature of their businesses.

These include concessions and those who only occupy part of a business premises and do not pay rates.

Blackpool's MPs have called for specific aid for the resort's tourism and hospitality sector during the coronavirus crisis

The Scottish Government this week announced a £20m Creative, Tourism & Hospitality Enterprises Hardship Fund to target businesses who have fallen down the gaps.

MPs for Blackpool North and Cleveleys and Blackpool South, Paul Maynard and Scott Benton, are now calling on Ministers in Westminster to start a similar scheme for England and Wales.

Mr Maynard said: “The Government has been ambitious with the support it is giving, but I am finding the guidance isn’t helping when it comes to more difficult cases.

“The Government wants to help these businesses, but the tight rules mean they don’t qualify.

“There are companies here in Blackpool which do not have access to grants, either because they only service the hospitality sector, they are concessions or sub-let parts of a property and who don’t pay rates, they are hospitality businesses based from home or simply because they can’t meet the criteria to access funds like the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme.

“I know from my caseload how much our community would benefit from a specific and discretionary package for the tourism and hospitality sector. I believe such a scheme is vital to plug the gaps constituents are telling me about.”

Scott Benton said: “Tourism has always been the life and soul of Blackpool. It is absolutely vital the Government considers targeted support and recognises that, by their nature, these enterprises and entrepreneurs don’t always fit into the funding boxes which have been created.”

Mr Maynard, supported by Mr Benton is asking that the Treasury give consideration to a specific and discretionary deal for tourism.

Among the schemes set up by the Government to help businesses and their employees are:

1. The Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan.

2. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

3. The new Bounce Back Loans scheme for small businesses.

Blackpool MPs make call to Government for specific aid to tourism industry falling through support gaps