The effects of the business rates suspension for a year for retail businesses and pubs, cafes and restaurants, announced this week by the Chancellor, will be seen next month.

Swindon Borough Council will be sending out rate demands at the start of April - but many will not be asked for their rates contribution.

Business rates contributed £36m to Swindon Borough Council last year - seven per cent of its total income.

But the payment holiday for a significant number of businesses shouldn't have an impact on Euclid Street's finances - a spokesman said Whitehall had assured local authorities the government would make up the shortfall - although details have yet to be finalised.

Leader of the council David Renard said: “This is a challenging time for many people, not just in terms of the impact of the virus on people’s health, but also their livelihoods.

“I would like to reassure everyone in Swindon that we are doing everything we can to support people to be safe. Our officers are also working incredibly hard with our local partners and government departments to ensure local businesses, who are going through a very difficult time at present, have the support they need.

“The chancellor’s package of measures provides significant support for local businesses and I am delighted we will be able to facilitate the 12-month business rate relief to those eligible businesses in the retail, leisure and hospitality industry from next month.

“We will making the case to government to make the other support available to companies as quickly as possible.”

The Government also revealed it will make £330bn in loans available via banks, with the Treasury as guarantor, plus a further £20bn in funding, including grants of up to £25,000 for small firms.

The council’s business and economy team is working with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SWLEP), the Federation of Small Businesses and the local Chamber of Commerce to provide up-to-date information and advice.

Information on the support available to Swindon companies will be published on the council’s website and social media channels as soon as it is available. Business can sign up to SWLEP’s Growth Hub for the latest advice and information at growthhub.swlep.co.uk.