Valletta still first for shopping

Valletta offers a choice of shops which is unparalleled anywhere else in Malta. If a shopper wants to buy a particular item, he/she can compare products and prices of different shops which are within a few minutes' walk of each other. There is no need to travel by car from one shop to another to compare, with all the hassle and loss of time that this would entail.

This diversity and choice is made possible by the high concentration of shops within a relatively small area.

Valletta has the added advantage of having a very attractive and popular pedestrian street, namely Republic Street. The attractiveness and the extent of retail space within this street creates a magnet, which also benefits shops in other parts of the commercial centre.

According to the government's plans, Merchants Street is also to be pedestrianised. This will create yet another attractive space and give a further boost to the city as Malta's prime retail centre.

Valletta is also convenient for shoppers because of the choice of cafés and restaurants. Most national facilities as well as a whole range of services are available in the city.

Within this context, the claim made in The Times that "Valletta is no longer Malta's top shopping centre" is totally incorrect.

The Valletta Alive Foundation includes among its members a number of retailers. Based on experience and detailed knowledge of Valletta and of other retail centres, they can confirm that Valletta is still Malta's prime shopping centre.