Millions of pounds of business rates relief promised in the spring budget earlier this year has still not been forwarded to pubs, according to new research.
The Association of Licenced Multiple Retailers says a sample of 25 local authorities showed 22 had yet to develop a scheme to distribute discretionary relief worth £31m.
It accuses local authorities of sitting on the money and is demanding reform of a 'broken system' to make sure the money is paid.
The promised package includes £1,000 in relief for pubs with a rateable value of £100,000 or below and a £300m discretionary fund for local authorities has not been received.
ALMR chief executive Kate Nicholls said: 'The fact that this relief has been made available to local authorities and is still not getting through to where it is most needed, proves we need immediate and wholesale reform of a broken system.
'Pubs and restaurants are in urgent need of financial assistance and have already seen some closures across London due in part to spiralling business rates bills and these delays risk others suffering the same fate.'