The roof filled with water, and it poured through the light fixtures, down into the shop.

As owners and workers madly tried to sweep the water through the only door of the shop, the water crept up to 10cm high. 

The deluge continued for 20 minutes.

Owner Jane Patterson was devastated by the event.

“This is our busiest time of the year, we’re supposed to be making money, not losing it,” Mrs Patterson said.

“I still have seven staff I have to pay, and we didn’t earn a cent.”

They lost all of the dough, ingredients and boxes that were there for the night’s trade.

It’s the second time Pizza Paradise has been impacted by heavy rain.

The business owners rent the store, part of the Sanctuary Point shopping complex.

The landlord recently did some more patchwork to fix the roof, but it wasn’t enough.  

“We were aware of the problem, I think the new owners didn’t realise the extent of the damage,” Mrs Patterson said.

Staff were up late last night mopping up, and returned this morning.

The shop will reopen tonight.

“Our spirits have been dampened but at least the pizza won’t be soggy,” Mrs Patterson said.