Shopping centre owners have warned of an uncertain outlook after the coronavirus pandemic hit rent payments.

Intu said it received only 29% of rent payments due on Wednesday - the payment deadline for the second quarter - and said it was still in discussions with customers over outstanding rents.

The Braehead Shopping Centre owner warned that reduced activity by shoppers has impacted footfall and potential future rents.

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It said the prospect of rent reductions means it may need to waive its covenants on loans and the firm said it is currently in talks with lenders.

Intu said it is also in an "ongoing dialogue" with the Government in hope to secure funds from its £330 billion business support package.

It comes after the Government announced on Monday that businesses would be able to avoid their quarterly rent payment for the next three months without forfeiting their leases.

The retail property group said it has "significantly reduced capital expenditure" for the foreseeable future and is cutting back on head office costs in a bid to preserve cash.

It said it expects deferrals from this quarter's rent payments to total around £40 million.

Meanwhile, Meadowhall owner British Land said it would waive £3 million worth of rent payments from its smallest tenants for the period and is prepared to defer rent payments for other operators.

It said it expects deferrals from this quarter's rent payments to total around £40 million.

Airports in the Highlands and Islands are to close to scheduled flights from Sunday to ensure that lifeline and emergency services can be maintained during the coronavirus pandemic.

Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (Hial) said its airports will also be closed to general aviation traffic to ensure that vital services, such as the delivery of medical and other critical supplies, the transport of key workers and emergency flights, can continue.

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Hial is working with Transport Scotland and Loganair to agree a skeleton schedule to ensure its airports continue to provide lifeline and essential services, including NHS passenger transfer, Royal Mail and the oil and gas industry.

The company said it is also important that Hial does all it can to limit the spread of infection and protect the health and well-being of its staff.

Hial managing director Inglis Lyon said: "Our airports are unique in that their core role is to provide lifeline services for our communities in the Highlands and Islands. They are essential to the continued delivery of medical and other critical supplies, the transport of key workers, and also to enable emergency flights for island communities.

"Now more than ever there is a need to safeguard those vital services.

"I appreciate this crisis is unknown territory for all of us and at this time we do not know how long these essential measures will remain in place.

"We could not maintain these services for our communities without the extraordinary team spirit and commitment displayed by our staff right across the Hial group and I am indebted to them for their continued flexibility and dedication during a very difficult time for us all."

Hial has 11 airports around the country - at Campbeltown, Islay, Tiree, Benbecula, Barra, Stornoway, Kirkwall, Sumburgh, Wick, Inverness and Dundee.

Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said: "Our aviation sector is facing an unprecedented challenge in the face of the coronavirus outbreak, so the Scottish Government is working with industry partners to ensure our lifeline air links continue to operate for the remote communities that depend on them.

"These air routes are crucial for the transport of supplies and key workers, as well as providing a vital link when emergency transport to the mainland is required.

"I also wish to thank all the Hial staff for their efforts during this difficult time."

The Daily Mail and General Trust and Reach, publisher of the Daily Record and Daily Mirror, have said they expect a coronavirus hit.

Paul Zwillenberg, DMGT chief executive, said: "We are determined to continue to deliver our compelling journalism, information, analysis, insight and events to our loyal customers. 

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“From a financial perspective, trading for the first five months of the financial year was in line with our expectations, but the impact of Covid-19 is likely to affect our business adversely.

"I am confident, however, that the group's diversified portfolio and strong financial position, with more than £700 million of cash and bank facilities available, will enable us to withstand a sustained period of global economic uncertainty and continue to invest through the cycle."

Reach said in its statement to the London Stock Exchange: “Whilst the first 12 weeks of the new financial year have traded overall in line with our expectations, the situation remains significantly uncertain and it is too early to assess the expected impact that the Covid-19 pandemic will have on FY 2020 and beyond.

“Currently, the principal trading areas expected to be impacted are advertising, print circulation and events.”