Paving works in Melita, South streets

Melita street between Republic Street and Merchants Street has been closed off - except for the pavements - as work continues on the street paving project.

Work on the lower part of the street, going down to Bakery Street, was completed last month.

A spokesman for the Resources Ministry, which is coordinating the work - said that while there was never an ideal time for such works, shopowners always argued that the busiest times for them were before Christmas, before Mother's Day and before the January sales, and the ministry had therefore avoided those times.

Two shop owners appeared to share that view, saying Valletta was 'dead' in the afternoon in summer, although they had an increase in business from tourists on summer mornings.

A section of south street between Republic Street and Bakery Street is also closed as part of the same works but is expected to reopen in a few days time.