4 a.m. Paceville music curfew is 'harming' business - owners

Paceville club owners claim that business has been dealt a major blow - even though the police are merely enforcing a 4 a.m. music curfew introduced years ago.

Several businessmen told The Sunday Times they lost between 30 and 40 per cent of revenue since the crackdown started in the first week of April. They also claim it has fuelled the popularity of underground parties.

The newly enforced regulation forces even soundproofed venues to switch off their music by 4 a.m., a move which has been welcomed by Paceville residents.

The president of GRTU's Hospitality Division, Philip Fenech, argued that if a nightclub is soundproofed or does not disturb the neighbours, it should not be forced to switch off music before clients leave.

Mr Fenech also said that many local clubbers were choosing to party in private residences, unlicensed premises, or clubs that played "hide and seek" with the law.

John Tanti, a nightclub owner, said this move had frustrated many clubbers who were now seeking alternative venues.

"The police are doing their job. But this law is pushing people away from Paceville," Mr Tanti said.

Nobby Vella, another nightclub owner, explained that the law aimed to entice clubbers to go to Paceville earlier, but insisted that changing the party culture was close to impossible.

"I don't think partying should go on till 10 or 11 a.m., but if we want to compete with other clubbing destinations we cannot afford to stop at 4 a.m.," Mr Vella said.

Other club owners agreed, saying that the older generation would rather go to Paceville when the 16 to 18 age group departed, and that due to late work shifts some people hit the clubs after 2 a.m.

Dorian Dalli, who also runs a popular nightclub in the area, said the number of Maltese clubbers in Paceville had reduced significantly.

"But this is not necessarily a result of the enforcement. We'll see what happens after September," he said.

Mr Dalli suggested that new licences should be issued for clubs to stay open later if they were soundproofed and not disruptive to neighbours.

Mr Fenech explained that this regulation was implemented years ago in order to have a cut-off point.

The GRTU is lobbying for the closing time to be extended to sunrise, arguing that this would be a good compromise between the 4 a.m. restriction and the 'no-limit' culture the government was uncomfortable with.

Meanwhile, young people are also protesting about this law on a Facebook group that was set up at the beginning of summer. Over 1,700 people have joined the group entitled 'Paceville Curfew: Yes? No? Let's make a change!'.

But Paceville residents, who fought for this enforcement together with the local council, argue that having people swarm out of the area so late is a nightmare.

Karl Gouder, deputy mayor of St Julian's, told The Sunday Times that if clubs used to stay open later, they were breaking the law anyway, and their extra profits were not a justification of this.

"We are trying to reintroduce some decency and discipline to Paceville, and finally we are getting there," said Mr Gouder, adding that all laws should be enforced.

Enforcement in Paceville on other issues was received well by most Paceville businessmen, including the introduction of CCTV surveillance and the ban of alcohol consumption and glass containers in the streets.

cperegin@timesofmalta.com