"You've just got to stay positive," says Philip Lay as he places a piece of charred debris into a skip.

When much of The Deck's fire-damaged roof was torn away by Storm Francis on Tuesday evening, onlookers wondered whether this may be the cruellest string of bad luck Penarth has ever known.

"First COVID, then the fire, now this," one remarked. "Just think of the poor owner."

Although Philip certainly appreciates the support, he says he has no time for that sort of negative thinking.

"When the storm hit yesterday I honestly couldn't believe it," he says. "It's enormous bad luck, but what can you do? In hospitality you get used to taking things as they come. After a day of crying in your porridge, you just have to get straight back into it."

And that's exactly what he and his staff are doing.

"We've actually had all the team here today helping with the clean-up. They were incredible during the incident and have been brilliant ever since."

We've all seen the pictures of the fire that broke out on the first floor last Friday, exactly two hours and two weeks after the Deck first opened its doors.

But it is easy to forget that the restaurant was operating at full capacity at the time. Philip winces when I use that classic newspaper word "miracle" to describe why no one was hurt.

"It's not a miracle. It's good planning, great procedures and incredible staff. They evacuated very calmly and made sure everyone was safe.

"That's the big positive for me - how great the team has been. We spent a lot of time getting everyone to bond and that's really paid off. To see them all here today helping out is incredible. They had four months of COVID, not being able to work, we gave them a great new opportunity, and then all this has just been an absolute tragedy."

Philip seems to have taken many positives from the situation, not least from the public support and kind words he has received.

"I've had so many messages of support from the people of Penarth, which really does mean a lot."

When I ask Philip when he thinks he will be reopening the Deck's doors, that unflappable positivity shines through again.

"Well, obviously it's going to take a at least a couple of months - I mean the roof flying off hasn't helped. Difficult to say but I hope to have it open again by Christmas and hopefully it'll be just as busy as before all this happened. You really do just have to stay positive and keep moving forward."