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.
62 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Ruby Scicluna
Jul 13th 2008, 08:51
How arrogant and ridiculous are some of the Marsalforn restaurateurs! These ‘bazuzli’ on Friday and Saturday evening took out again their tables and chairs. Action shouldn’t be once and that’s all. Wait and see!!
J. Agius
Jul 12th 2008, 20:06
Authorities, please inspect Bir id-Deheb and Dawret Hal Ghaxaq for one to see tables and chairs occupying pavments in front of establishments actually for take aways but constraining the public to use the road other than the pavement. To add insult to injury, the Council in the case of the upper end of the Byepass made the area around establisments far better to accomodate chairs and tables on the public road. Is this legal?
Alfred Briffa
Jul 12th 2008, 19:39
Dear Dr De Marco.....how I am eagerly waiting to see such action (rightly timed!) at Marsacala!
oreen Camilleri
Jul 12th 2008, 19:34
well done! to the authorities involved! - finally doing something about people breaking the law and not caring about inconvenience caused on others. i for one, would like to see more of this...e.g. our beaches! are they ours anymore?! i cannot understand how it is allowed for chairs and unbrellas to be strewn all over the beach - packed like sardines!! why do i have to pay to stay by the shore?! ..and what about the permits given to clubs for activities? - earth shattering loud music without even any consideration to the residents! On another note...Why do we have the most expensive rates re mobile phones? the travel tax? and the car tax?!! Why have our public beaches become private?!! please continue cracking externally and internally!!
Mario.B
Jul 12th 2008, 16:28
Well done Lawrence Camilleri. I hope that before the titular feast of Xaghra, MEPA comes in Victory Square and clears all the tables, chairs and umbrellas of all the bars and restorants.
Emmanuel Mazzitelli
Jul 12th 2008, 13:19
Yes to Law and order - as long as this is done in an orderly manner, though. it seems this was not the case here.
Joseph Debono
Jul 12th 2008, 09:11
Law inforcement is good if its done for all. What about the bazuzli the one's with a little help from their friends? Their are many cases especially in Malta.
One example is a bar in Telgha tas-saqqajja M'dina. This Bar owner has taken over the hole area including in front of other peoples residences, although people don't live there, they are trying to sell their property, but who would want to buy a place with tables and chairs against his front door. Its not possible that they have permission to do this because they have no right to thake other people area.
Ivan Attard
Jul 12th 2008, 08:57
Consider this as bluff from the authorities who will now turn a blind eye for the rest of this summer as the 'illegalities' mushroom back. In any case I am against this exercise as it is only where there are the restaurants that the places are kept clean and attractive. The areas where there are no catering establishments (in Marsalforn and Xlendi) are abandoned and full of debris and rubbish. Tell me why on earth are planters and other embelishments made to be removed? And we need to make our product attractive to the tourist!!
philip pace
Jul 12th 2008, 08:34
Welcome to the circus,
It was about time especially in Sliema that this action had to be taken as everybody was quite fed up with the furniture of some of the restuarants occupying public land.
Probably this was another stunt of Brand Malta, where these things were allowed to happen to the detriment of the local citizens and also the tourists themselves but then one did these things as he was blessed and covered from the powers above.
A change in the leadership of the Ministry of Tourism was very important and Dr.Gonzi got this one right as the previous Brand Minister was a very weak leader indeed even his predecessors,
What irks me is the timing of the removal as one good action turned into a bad one. It could have been executed at another time.
To the Maltese who travel abroad and come back with the foreign ideas please note that only a few ideas can work in Malta as other nations are quite big in size and have the means to work these new ideas. Malta simply cannot work and use these ideas due to the size. A few work but not all.
Branded bananas
Francis Vella
Jul 11th 2008, 23:58
The most proper way to have done this was to institute a significant fine, eg 200 euros a day, past the given deadline. That way the expense of the operation would also be borne by the offender, eliminating also the public expense and inconvenience to the customers.
Anthony Farrugia
Jul 11th 2008, 20:10
I am more than sure that the tables and chairs removed will be back in place by saturday. An enforcement in Gozo only last a couple of days.
edward ciantar
Jul 11th 2008, 17:54
Totally agree with the steps taken by the authorities. Who gave permission to the guy next to the icecream parlour down at Marsalforn to erect a big screen across the road on the other side of the pavement during THE European Football competion? During live gave transmissions his clients overspilled onto the road and traffic could hardly pass. Another one for the future.
Emmanuel Galea
Jul 11th 2008, 16:47
Well done for the action taken. If the message is sent out Loud and Clear to all lawbreakers, then we can enjoy a better living, and feel that the law is there for one and all. If unlawful street furnituret is also removed from villages, it would be much appreciated by residents.
Joseph Grima
Jul 11th 2008, 15:55
Not to sound pretentious but I am just back from Barcelona. They clean the streets at 4am. Yes that's 4 in the morning.
Now picture the loud noisy truck passing through Valletta usually in the afternoon, through the usually quite a large number of people thinking they are going to take a quiet
Yes, laws should be enforced. But the enforcement shouldnt be a larger inconvenience than the activity breaking the law itself!!!
Lawrence Camilleri
Jul 11th 2008, 14:15
Well done, worse done! Applying the law is commendabel, the timing is condemnable. Only hope that when they come to enforce the law in Victory Square (if ever) in Xaghra they will do it at 7 am when the offending restaurants are closed and empty.
Joe Spiteri
Jul 11th 2008, 11:34
Well done to the Gozo Tourism Authority and the Malta Tourism Authority.
To place tables outside bars/restaurants, as far as I am aware, one needs permission from the Tourism Authority, the Lands Department , MEPA and Transport Authority.
Some outlets have constructed fixed canopies and the area has been integrated with the shop, a case in point in a Cafe' and Restaurant in Sliema Ferries, thus doubling the size of the shop in question on public land. Was there any permissions sought for occupying public land?
I think that to solve this problem we need to create a one-stop shop from where such permissions are issued and this will ensure that there is standard and level playing field for all those concerned.
A Licari
Jul 11th 2008, 11:32
Well done, Ministry of Tourism! Beach encroachment with deckchairs and umbrellas should be tackled next. Public land is for the public not for business.
Mel Schembri
Jul 11th 2008, 11:29
Yeah maybe Brand Malta is looking quite far off, but it surely doesn't help to have restaurants do as they please. Maybe that wasn't the way it should have been done - the authorities should have sent a formal letter a week before turning up, and then if the place wasn't vacant they could have done what they did...
I hope that the authorities turn their attention to beaches now - namely Paradise Bay where they Lido dominates all the beach with their deckchairs - that is shameful - when a tourist feels obligated to pay for a deckchair because they are already laid on OUR beaches (not the Lido's).
John Williams
Jul 11th 2008, 11:19
Last night while flying to UK tourists were saying they wished that the authorities in the UK were as serious like the Maltese Authorities. That says it all, so stop using the tourists as excuse, Well Done.
Eric Psaila
Jul 11th 2008, 11:05
I am a bit confused in how to comment. Whilst I agree that the timing was not right and health and safety issues seem to have been ignored I suspect that this is the only way to get things done in Malta. The establishments were warned yet they ignored authority. Therefore I do not think that we should be blaming the authorities but more the owners of the bars and restaurants. Well done authorities.Do it again and again. Tackle the restaurants mentioned by Ms Kissaun.
Protect us and not the owners of these establishments.
P. Vassallo
Jul 11th 2008, 10:27
VERY WELL DONE, keep it up. But next time please choose a better timing, to avoid disturbance to patrons.
May I also suggest that the Authorities look into whether the bar at the top of Golden bay has a right to occasionally enclose a parking area, which is located just in front of their establishment.
Furthermore, maybe the Authorites can even check if the sleeping policeman opposite the Lija playground is of excessive height or not, or has been built illegally. The one near the obonoxious fountain somebody built in that area.
J. Huber
Jul 11th 2008, 09:52
A big WELL DONE to those who took the decision to ensure that at last in this country someone is really taking the bull by the horns re enforcement of laws and regulations. I particularly appreciate the timing of the action because of the wide exposure it received. Wake up Malta we need to put on some self control and self discipline. After all the owners had been forewarned but insisted in their wrongdoing. So what did they and all their apologists expect?
Alexander Brincat
Jul 11th 2008, 08:35
It appears that all we are able to do in this country is looking completely stupid and daft in the eyes of tourists. Law enforcement is a must and people abusing should be stopped. However this operation could have been done on a cold winter day with rainclouds looming overhead and rough seas battering the beautiful coast of Xlendi and Marsalforn, when no one is around. Good job "autorita' maxima" (latin or the character from the comics wathever tickles your fancy): You have only succeded in making all of us look ridiculous.
Alexander Brincat
Jul 11th 2008, 08:35
It appears that all we are able to do in this country is looking completely stupid and daft in the eyes of tourists. Law enforcement is a must and people abusing should be stopped. However this operation could have been done on a cold winter day with rainclouds looming overhead and rough seas battering the beautiful coast of Xlendi and Marsalforn, when no one is around. Good job "autorita' maxima" (latin or the character from the comics wathever tickles your fancy): You have only succeded in making all of us look ridiculous.
M Xuereb
Jul 11th 2008, 08:14
YES to law enforcement..... ALL around.
YES to restraining arrogant catering establishments who wield their power with impunity..... I'm tired of having to wind my body around tables and chairs and legs on the narrow strip of pavement in Tigne' to get to the Strand.
NO to the methodology used. Early morning would have been a better time for all..... No diners and a cooler job for the workers involved.
YES to more permits allowing these cafes and restaurants to place tables out in piazzas without obstructing pedestrian passage...... they create such a wonderful ambience. Hasn't anyone been to Italy in summer?
Joseph Grech
Jul 11th 2008, 07:48
What everyone seems to overlook is the fact that the resturarant owners were given ample time to regularize their position, yet they completely failed to do so. The timing is immaterial as the fault laid with the owners who failed to act when warned to do so.
Jason Borg
Jul 11th 2008, 07:34
Good job, guys. Keep it up.
Berys Said
Jul 11th 2008, 05:38
"Brand Malta" So near....and yet so far.
Ronald Bowman
Jul 11th 2008, 04:07
The GTA claimed that it "had always been in favour of observance of the law and any irregular operation constituted unfair competition." (Zinnnnnnn!!!!!!) If this were true, why did it never ensure that its members abide by the law and comply with their encroachment permits especially after receiving the warnings? After all the streets are public property and are not owned by the entreprenuers. With regards to the timing, why should the law-enforcers be subjected to work in the hot summer sun for the benefit of law-breakers?
J Pace
Jul 11th 2008, 01:01
Shame on You!!
Philip Micallef
Jul 11th 2008, 00:43
Well done Mr Government. Finally somebody has got the galls to act and make sure the law is observed. Hope the same kind of action is carried through in other spheres of Maltese Society.
Maria Dolores Fenech
Jul 10th 2008, 22:32
Good move, but bad timing.
I would like to suggest the removal of deckchairs and umbrellas from beaches such as Ghadira and Birzebbugia.
richard stagno navarra
Jul 10th 2008, 22:32
Why do we always have to find fault when the authorities take action against those who break the law? It is up to the owners to observe the law and then they will not suffer any consequences.
Steve Pollacco
Jul 10th 2008, 22:25
Yes it's about time those who abuse public land are shown that they are not above the law. But I'm sure that those who hold similar views (and it looks like the majority) would have felt rather uncomfortable with the timing. It's one thing commenting off a keyboard from the comfort of your home and quite another if you're tucking into your Denci. Furthermore tourists tend to tow the underdog, poor restauranter, line (otherwise they wouldn't have chosen to sit there in the first place). Nobody likes heavy-handed authority - as for the health and safety aspect enough said. But I'm sure the authorities will have a good reason for it - perhaps they waited until the temperature cooled down enough to get the work done.
e muscat
Jul 10th 2008, 22:23
We have lost our sense of balance. The authorities allow this to happen for many years when they were duty bound to stop it - then they lose their sense of balance and stop the illegality the wrong way.
DVella
Jul 10th 2008, 21:07
NO Mister Student Group Leader . . . what is outrageous is that establishments like the one you were gracing with your custom just take over public land and do as they please!! You should be applauding the long overdue action of the authorities. Why should some establishments have to pay for the right to put tables and chairs out on a small patch of public land whilst others do as they like and expect not to pay for it??
Alfred Fenech
Jul 10th 2008, 18:10
Well done to the authorities. It was a disgrace at M'Forn. Road traffic was reduced for the convenience of the public, but the businessmen took over half the width of the street and all the pavement. One has even drilled holes in the road for the umbrellas!!!! How that for an abuse. They even block the entrance to private residences and some are serving food without having the necessary permits.
Corey Attard
Jul 10th 2008, 18:09
Only in Gozo you see this,lol.
Joseph Calleja
Jul 10th 2008, 17:42
So finally somebody in Malta has the guts to enforce the law without prejudice. Good for them and the country. I have been told many times that Maltese don't like to be told what to do and I have to concur with that statement cause I often see that in myself. It's about time we stop playing politics and get down to law and order. Start enforcing the laws of the land and stop politics as usual, these are different times and it calls for different measures if Malta is to survive. It's not always popular to enforce the law and even harder to accept but someone has to have enough courage to do it.
Andrew Gatt
Jul 10th 2008, 17:36
Good move. Incredibly stupid timing!
Franco Farrugia
Jul 10th 2008, 17:29
I wonder how come we have two weights, two measures when it comes to law enforcement. What about the boathouses that have become an eyesore to all? Will the Police and the law-enforcers in questions deal with these people in the same way as it is doing with the restaurants? Or shall we meet them in the dead of night previous to an election, and promise them heaven on earth?
J,laus
Jul 10th 2008, 17:28
Well done ,,,Good Job,,,BUT why the work was carried out now while many tourists(maltese included)will be enjoying the summer evenings around Marsalforn.? why not ,...say in Feb. or March....Oh No it was Election time and at that time maybe an important PN candidate might lose some votes, What a country...
Franco Farrugia
Jul 10th 2008, 17:25
@ Mr Vassallo, Mr Spiteri - Can't you see the priorities????? True, legality has to be maintained but is this the way to carry on with the works necessary?
Mark Spiteri
Jul 10th 2008, 17:15
Well said ABC for a change :)
This is not the way to stamp authority....to the determent of paying clientele.
There is a time for everything.
Martin Galea
Jul 10th 2008, 17:13
I am sorry for the diners, but then, their enjoyment was at the mercy of the restaurant owners' greed and irresponsibility. Law enforcement is not about being popular with people, but actually enforcing the law of the land. So thumbs up to whoever authorised the operation.
Thumbs down, however to whoever was responsible for Health and safety during the operation. The workers are not wearing any protective equipment whatsoever (safety glasses, leather gloves, long sleeved coveralls), and in addition, there are patrons less than four feet away, well within the range of any sparks or metal shards flying in the air. In addition, I myself would not have allowed the photographer to take that picture, since it was from an extremely dangerous position, directly in the way of sparks and grit from the grinder (This will no doubt be testified to by the ruined camera lense!!).
I don't care about the whining from people who have their dinner ruined because a law enforcement operation is being carried out resulting from establishment owners' irresponsibilty. What I do care about however, is the health and safety of everybody concerned. That is the real story, in my humble opinion.
K Caruana
Jul 10th 2008, 17:12
Although I don't agree with such work being carried out during business hours, I fully understand that enforcement is necessary in these cases.
I also have one question.
Could somebody explain why no action has ever been taken with respect to the sloping of concrete in front of garages?
Many are in fact obstructing (encroaching) on the pavement and the streets illegally. In many cases standards (if these exist) are not being followed.
Should the Transport Authority or MEPA ever take action on this??
Tristan Camilleri
Jul 10th 2008, 17:08
I agree with the measure. Moreover I would agree with the time chosen to enforce this action since at this time the operator would be at its busiest and therefore would act like a fine/deterrent from replacing the furniture.
A Zammit
Jul 10th 2008, 17:05
A dozen officials collecting plants that are invested by owners of establishments to made a beautiful ambience on a mid week eve with tourists watching the show. Shouldnt the goverment be investing in tourists resorts and decorate areas frequented by tourists himself?
High season in Gozo starts in July and ends in October, unlike Malta, like sliema and Valletta is always bustling with tourists all year round. Gozitans need to make the most of 2 months to pay bills of a whole year! MTA decides to invade Gozo in the mid of July. WHere is the MTA in January, February, March, April, May and the rest of the months when all the restaurants are empty? Well done MTA see if you can find jobs for workers employed in the summer season which of course wouldnt be needed anymore!
Joe Martinelli
Jul 10th 2008, 17:01
I would like to complain about the complainers who complain when things are not done and complain again when things they had complained about are done to address their initial complaints.
What a bunch of moaners (complainers)!
M. Schembri
Jul 10th 2008, 16:21
Good work - maybe the methodology needs fine tuning, but still well done.
A Farrugia
Jul 10th 2008, 16:17
Now that enforcement is taking place, why are these grumbling? Is it because the authorities are taking action? Do these students have any interests in illegalities? Why in the morning, why in the evening why late at night why why why? No one seems to be satisfied in this day and age, all we do is grumble. We need a dictator over here in Malta. Bring Mugabe from Zimbabwe because that is what Bocca deserves. As long as they feel cumfy, all is well. But woe to those who interfere in his whining and dining.
Anne Marie Kissaun
Jul 10th 2008, 16:11
Well done. Hope this will be kept up. Afterall, the owner was forewarned. It is a pity that the diners did not claim the money back for the inconvenience. May I also point out that there is a Restaurant in Dingli Street, Sliema, Amigos, if I am not mistaken, who has now decided to put tables and stools on the pavement, outside his business. Last but not least, a case in point, Giorgio in Sliema, has not yet removed the tables and chairs right outside his front entrance. What arrogance.
GEORGE CUTAJAR
Jul 10th 2008, 16:10
JUST THE MALTESE (GOZITAN) WAY OF GETTING THINGS DONE.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL INVOLVED - YOU SURE KNOW HOW TO PROJECT A FANTASTIC IMAGE TO ALL.
WHERE NEXT - XLENDI, VALLETTA, BUGIBBA , MELLIEHA?
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO KEEP IN MIND IS THAT THIS EXERCISE MUST BE CARRIED OUT IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF DINERS/TOURISTS POSSIBLE, DURING THE PEAK SUMMER SEASON AND PREFERABLY IN THE EVENING THAT WAY ONE AND ALL CAN SEE HOW INDUSTRIOUS OUR WORKERS ARE.
AND YES THIS TAKES AN OSCAR FOR ONLYINMALTA>
Dunstan Crockford
Jul 10th 2008, 16:10
Dear Andrew Borg Cardona.....the time chosen is immaterial!!! You should have congratulated the authorities for enforcing the law!!! The places concerned were warned in advance...but failed to comply!!!
Hopefully all these bars will start thinking about the inconvenience they have been causing with impunity for SO long!!!
L Galea
Jul 10th 2008, 16:08
Congratulations to the authorities concerned.
Let's hope that such operations are conducted all over Malta.
Where's next?
Marsascala?
Marsaxlokk?
Scerri S
Jul 10th 2008, 16:04
Why can't this be done with a forewarning? It's stupid. It's not the fault of the customers.
But what troubles me the most is this: "Some of them took photographs but were prevented from taking more by the police!!" This behaviour seems to be common with certain policemen (or requesting the deletion of existing photos). It only proves that they know that what they're doing is either senseless or it embarasses the country. Does anyone have the right to stop people taking photos in public places anyway? I never see policemen helping celebrities defend themselves from paparazzi anywhere in the world....
B. Pollacco
Jul 10th 2008, 15:53
A Brilliant Example Of ONLY IN MALTA !!!!!!
F Spiteri
Jul 10th 2008, 15:48
Congratulations to all the officials from the Tourism Authority, from the Land Department and all the police officers involved in these operations.
And, I am sorry but, diners were angered only because the owners did NOT comply. I only hope that such operations keep on being carried out throughout all Malta. It is our country and let us enjoy it.
Joseph Caruana
Jul 10th 2008, 15:47
@ Andrew Borg-Cardona
In Sliema they even serve breakfast!
But in Marsalforn business peaks in Evening into Late hours I guess, knowing the Gozo.
Ivan Attard
Jul 10th 2008, 15:46
So much for law enforcement. I agree that illegal and unauthorized street furniture and encroachment should be removed by force but no 2 weights and 2 measures should be deployed. In Gozo there are some outrageous cases of ramps jutting out onto the road sometimes over a metre long and a foot high like in Xaghra. So what are the authorities and the ADT waiting for?
M. Tabone
Jul 10th 2008, 15:44
Well done! Hope that all illegalities in this Island will be rectified!!!!
Andrew Borg-Cardona
Jul 10th 2008, 15:42
it would be interesting to see who decided to do the work at this time of day (night...) was it to save people the hassle of working in the mid-day sun? was it to reward them with overtime pay? what?