Britain's government will void legal attempts to evict or force out small retailers and businesses due to non-payment of rent during the coronavirus crises, Reuters reported authorities as saying on Thursday.

The country's commercial landlords are experiencing a significant curtailment in rents as retail activity has paused temporarily due to lockdown measures to curb the spread of the virus.

The government's move comes just a few days after trade bodies British Retail Consortium and British Property Federation wrote a letter to chancellor Rishi Sunak seeking rental support.

According to reports, landlords have served winding up petitions to their tenants, with JD Sports and Primark being among the top retailers refusing to pay their March quarter rents.