Inspectors move to limit sprawl of cafés in St John's Square

Four cafeterias in St John's Square, Valletta were the latest target of inspectors yesterday as the Land Department carried on with its drive to clamp down on illegal encroachment of outdoor public areas.

Inspectors swooped down on the square at 6.30 a.m. to confiscate tables, chairs, umbrellas, potted plants and other items of street furniture that had been placed beyond areas marked out by the establishments' permits.

The inspection, which was completed by the afternoon, got under way early in the morning so as not to upset patrons and tourists, a department spokes-man said.

The owners of the establishments had been given warnings about abiding by their permits two weeks ago but some still failed to comply.

One of the cafeterias had exceeded the limits considerably and had almost half its street furniture removed, including some 20 large potted plants. One of the inspectors said they looked like a "small wood".

The manager said he was under the impression that all permits had been paid and was waiting for his lawyer to consider taking legal action.

The other three cafeterias only had a few items removed. Although they were slightly annoyed by the surprise visit, they were pleased it happened early in the morning rather than at peak time. One manager said he had been expecting some items to be removed since he knew they had been placed in an area off limits.

The works were carried out without incident and workers of the establishments helped to rearrange the furniture within the established demarcation lines.

Valletta has already been in the sights of inspectors, who last month removed street furniture around City Gate.

Since April enforcement has also taken place in Sliema, Marsascala, Marsaxlokk, Birżebbuġa, Buġibba, Qawra, St Paul's Bay, Xlendi and Marsalforn.