Competition and the old trade fair grounds

Sandra Mizzi, in her letter Trade Fair Competition (March 11), commented about the need to have more than one venue to host fairs.

In any democratic country, a monopolistic situation tends to have many negative repercussions on the public as well as the economy as a whole. Although the current site in Ta' Qali is being used to host fairs, it cannot be classified as monopolistic. The author is perfectly right when it comes to the need to have more than one national fair venue but today, larger companies have adopted this fair concept, realising that people no longer wait for a fair to avail themselves of better deals. So open weeks and discounted prices have now become common practice. Other venues are also organising specialised fairs.

Nostalgia for the Naxxar grounds is fine, but the old Naxxar Trade Fair grounds simply happen to be the wrong alternative venue of choice. This is namely so because on July 11, 2006, Mepa issued its Approved Central Malta Local Plan, which was also endorsed by the Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment on August 3, 2006. Here it clearly states that fairs are no longer allowed in the Old Trade Fair Grounds at Naxxar, indicating various reasons, and thus Ta' Qali was earmarked as the new venue. In addition to the Central Malta Local Plan (in the Naxxar sections), there is also the North West Local Plan - Approved Ta' Qali Action Plan, which was approved by the Mepa Board on June 20, 2006 and endorsed by the minister on August 2, 2006. These may be viewed in their entirety on the Mepa website.

There also happens to be no trading licence tied to the grounds themselves. This was made public knowledge by the newly formed company intending to set up shop in the old Naxxar trade fair grounds in a meeting with the exhibitors on February 12 (also reported in this newspaper). Therefore, according to the trading laws, one cannot even operate from there! What is even more of concern is that should this new company get its way, it stated in this very newspaper that it intends "housing all-year-round conferences and festivals during the summer and winter months, moreover attaining the approach that the grounds may be used for business, charity and political opportunities".

With regards to Naxxar residents, we wish to believe that Mepa will abide by its approved and endorsed plans and that what we were promised in 2006, holds.

We hope to have clarified any misconceptions and we wish those involved all the best in finding an alternative site, thus not depriving us of pluralistic activities and the right of choice. Let the law and common sense prevail in this decision.

The undersigned are the administrators of the Facebook group: We do not want the trade fair back at Naxxar.