Turn Paceville around

The Government has made a worthwhile investment in embellishing the pot of gold on the "Golden Mile" in St Julian's. This area, known as Paceville, was nothing but a collection of houses and apartments as far back as 40 or 50 years ago. During the Seventies the first bars and restaurants appeared as part of a support industry to the newly opened five-star hotels in the area.

But a few years later they were attracting more than just the hungry or thirsty tourist from next door. The youngsters who had been frequenting Sliema's Ghar id-Dud promenade, after abandoning the less vibrant 'Kingsway' in Valletta, now sought new pastures and made the bars in Paceville their locals!

The Seventies came and went, then the Eighties, and Paceville grew from a quiet, residential backwater of St Julian's to a colourful, glitzy and bright nightspot. This brought in a number of unwanted guests - drugs, alcohol and the lager lout. By embellishing the area, the government gave back a bit of dignity to the area but it is a little more difficult to control the ignorant yob who chooses to relieve himself or who throws his empty beer can and bottles on other people's doorsteps!

This is certainly no easy task for the council to undertake and Paceville has become a national issue that we all need to tackle and solve through responsible behaviour.

Admittedly, every destination has its nightclub area, albeit somewhat seedy and troublesome, but we have the opportunity of making Paceville an area where nightclubs could boast of high calibre shows and trendy bars. The recent under-age drinking laws and the noise abatement issues are certainly a step in the right direction. But as with most cases, it is the goodwill of all those involved which can result in successful implementation of these measures.

I hope that 2007 will see a radical change in the attitude and behaviour of all those who frequent this - once quiet - hamlet of St Julian's. There are some 500 residents in Paceville. They have to put up with a lot and they deserve to be respected. We can still promote Paceville's entertainment value without threatening their health and safety!

Let us hope and pray that Archbishop Cremona's guidance, after his recent visit to Paceville, will bear 'fresh' fruit!