Bay Street shop owner acquitted

A court presided by Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera, yesterday said there were no doubts that the Eurosport establishment in Bay Street was situated within a hotel complex and could thus open on Sunday.

Christopher Grech, who had a licence to run Eurosport, was accused of keeping the shop open on Sundays on November 11 and 18 last year.

The court noted that Joseph Falzon, a consultant to the Malta Tourism Authority, testified that Bay Street was a tourist complex and was so licensed by the Hotels and Catering Establishments Board in September 2001. The court noted that Falzon explained that the complex had four-star self-catering units and other amenities associated with a hotel.

Grech admitted that the shop in question was open on Sundays but argued that the outlet was situated within a hotel complex.

The court said there was no doubt that Eurosport was a retail outlet forming part of the Bay Street Hotel complex and, thus, could be open on Sundays. Grech was acquitted.

Inspector Patrick Spiteri prosecuted.