Hundreds of pubs in Kent are not receiving much-needed cash from the government's grant support scheme - despite promises they would be helped through the lockdown crisis.

A breakdown of numbers from the British Beer & Pub Association shows that only about 50% of drinking holes in the county are getting hands on the funds.

Startling statistics suggest just 11% of pubs in the Tunbridge Wells borough have so far got the money, while 84% have secured the cash in Gravesham.

The government announced last month that businesses with rateable values below £15,000 and £51,000 would receive grants of £10,000 and £25,000 respectively to help see them through the Covid-19 crisis.

But the system's roll-out has been seemingly sluggish, with councils - which have the responsibility to dish out the funds - not yet paying out to about half of those in need.

The Kent statistics from the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) are as follows:

• Ashford: 99 pubs - 58% paid
• Canterbury: 142 pubs - 60% paid
• Dartford: 55 pubs - 64% paid
• Dover: 131 pubs - 59% paid
• Folkestone and Hythe: 98 pubs - 68%
• Gravesham: 83 pubs - 84% paid
• Maidstone: 123 pubs - 35% paid
• Medway: 137 pubs - 48% paid
• Sevenoaks: 96 pubs - 68% paid
• Swale: 124 pubs - 40% paid
• Thanet: 137 pubs - 62% paid
• Tonbridge and Malling: 94 pubs - 36% paid
• Tunbridge Wells: 93 pubs - 11% paid

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of BBPA, said: "Our research shows that too many local authorities are not paying grants to pubs and other hospitality businesses anywhere near quickly enough. For smaller pub businesses in particular this grant funding is urgently needed.

"This needs to be rectified immediately. Otherwise, pubs will close for good and the thousands of people they employ will lose jobs.

"Credit must go to those authorities who are doing the right thing and getting their grants to pubs and other businesses quickly."

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