Eileen Goodwin, proprietor of Plonkers Wine Bar, in Cumberland Street, York, claimed one council employee told her she couldn’t have any sandbags, and said: “You have to look after yourself.”

Amy Gallagher, who owns La Place Verte café, in a council-owned building at Skeldergate Bridge, said she was charged £92 for 20 sandbags and told: “We are only interested in residents. We have no concern with businesses.”

Mrs Goodwin said she contacted the authority as floodwaters from the River Ouse crept up Cumberland Street towards her premises, and she wanted sandbags to protect her fridges.

She said: “I was basically told I couldn’t have any, and they weren’t interested in helping.

“I thought the council was meant to be supportive of business, but this wasn’t the response I was getting.

“I pay quite a considerable amount in business rates and yet when we need help in a crisis, this is the response we get. What are we paying our rates for?”

A council spokeswoman said it had a duty and policy to protect residents living in residential and commercial properties, when parts of the city flood.

She said while the authority provides residents with free sandbags, the council is not obliged to provide free sandbags to businesses.

Businesses can buy sandbags by phoning the council on 01904 551550.