Hawkers get down to business

Hawkers set up their stalls in Freedom Square in Valletta, for the second day yesterday after almost two weeks of protests over their planned relocation.

The area, which is normally taken up by parked cars, is now a market place for a plethora of goods ranging from CDs to underwear.

The hawkers' temporary occupation of the city's entrance started on Saturday after a deal struck with the government late last week that will eventually see them move a block down from their established site in Merchants Street.

According to Union Haddiema Maghqudin section secretary Nicholas Baldacchino, the hawkers are happy to be selling their wares from Freedom Square and customers, he added, also welcomed the move.

Monti hawkers had resisted a temporary move to St James Ditch, outside the city, for a few weeks while restructuring works are underway in Merchants Street.

They are expected to move back to this street once the works are completed in a couple of weeks time.