Street furniture removed in Xlendi, Marsalforn; GTA protests

(Recasts, adding Xlendi operation, GTA comments)

Officials from the Tourism Authority, Land Department and police officers this evening removed tables, chairs and street furniture set up illegally by catering establishments at Xlendi.

The operation, a continuation of another one at Marsalforn yesterday, drew criticism from diners and the Gozo Tourism Association for its timing.

The establishments had previously been served with warnings and given 15 days to comply with their encroachment permits and remove any excess street furniture.

A similar operation was carried out in Sliema last month (picture).

There had been several calls for such law enforcement, but people on the scene at Marsalforn yesterday were amazed and angered over the way the operation was performed.

"It was outrageous," a student group leader told timesofmalta.com.

"A dozen of my students were celebrating a birthday at a restaurant in Marsalforn at approximately 10 p.m., when they were disturbed by a party of workmen, escorted by Police, who seemed to be visiting several establishments and using an angle grinder to remove sunshade supports and flower troughs.

"Needless to say my students, all adults, were far from impressed by the noise, smoke and sparks. Some of them took photographs but were prevented from taking more by the police!!

The Gozo Tourism Association said it had always been in favour of observance of the law and any irregular operation constituted unfair competition.

"However the way enforcement measures were effected in the popular resorts of Marsalforn and Xlendi yesterday and today can be described as anything but civil, " the association said.

"This enforcement operation took the whole evening practically from around 7 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. basically dinner time. Patrons at the respective establishments were regaled with an unusual sight. Space irregularly occupied by some of the establishments was literally cleared from anything, including tables, chairs, umbrellas and their bases, flower pots and menu stands.

"Apart from the inappropriate time and period chosen to carry out this enforcement operation, one must also mention the uncouth way, in which some of the works were carried out. Diners were surrounded by sparks emitted by grinding equipment used to cut steel and metal poles and rods. These works also provoked an unethical exchange of words between the officers and the owners infront of all diners and passers by," the GTA said.

"Foreign and local diners alike were literally shocked by the unexpected scenes on an island which promotes itself as an idyllic and tranquil destination.

The GTA appealed to all establishments to observe their permit conditions.