The government has announced new discretionary local authority grants to support struggling wholesalers in areas placed in the highest coronavirus alert levels.

It marks the first time wholesalers have been given specific support, after MPs and businesses criticised the government for not doing enough to help. Trade body the Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) has been lobbying for more support over the last few weeks.

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FWD chief executive James Bielby said: “This is a great win for wholesalers and will provide much-needed breathing space for those of our members whose customers are closed or barely trading.”

However, industry experts said hospitality wholesalers are more likely to receive the funding than convenience suppliers.

Find out more on our coronavirus information hub for retailers