Updated: Marsaxlokk stall owners defy orders and return to promenade
Marsaxlokk stall owners were called to a meeting with senior police officers at Zejtun police station today after a number of them this morning defied orders and set up their stalls on the recently repaved part of the promenade.
Informed sources said arguments flared between policemen and six stall owners when they set up their stalls at about 7.30 a.m. However the stalls were not removed. The meeting was called late in the morning and was heated at times.
The open market over the past few weeks was set up on another part of the promenade while works were in hand.
While authorisation to return to the old site has not been given yet - because the works are not ready - a number of restaurants have also set up tables and chairs on the sections of the promenade which have been nearly completed.
The Resources Ministry said last week that the stall owners would be able to return to their old places once works were completed, but they would not be allowed to drive their vans onto the promenade.
Today was the first time that the stalls were set up at Marsaxlokk after the village feast.
Following their meeting with the police, the stall owners said they had agreed not to set up their stalls at their old places tomorrow pending another meeting with police officials.
They insisted, however, that the stalls should be allowed to return to those areas of the promenade which had been completed.
The owners said some of them had decided to return to their old places today because restaurant owners had already been allowed to use the promenade. They insisted that they had observed an agreement with the Resources Ministry not to drive their vans on the promenade, and they had placed rubber under their stalls so as not to damage the stonework.
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James Mistruzzi
Aug 5th 2010, 18:53
@ Noel Borg Thanks Noel. For those of you who haven't read Noel's comment please do so. I couldn't agree more. We've loved Marsoxlokk since the day we discovered Malta and decided to make it our home. Yes, a little regulation is a good idea, especially with the new improvements, but not at the cost of losing that "character" that makes Marsaxlokk so special to both locals and tourists. There's plenty of room for everyone to enjoy the unique experience that Marsoxlokk has to offer - with a minimul, but fair, amount of regulation.
M.Pule'
Aug 5th 2010, 17:21
The restaurant owners should be made to keep a limited number of tables on the new promenade and that against a reasonable yearly charge. They should not occupy the place traditionally taken by the market stalls. Re the market stalls, they should be made accountable also for any damage done to the new surface.- strictly no vans and vehicles on it - cleanliness at their own expense.
Joseph Ellul - Sydney
Aug 5th 2010, 02:45
On every visit to Malta I always come to M'xlokk to experience a 'rush' of human sardines in a can. Most people who go there on Sunday are aware of the situation and those who do not like it can stay away. Sunday at M'xlokk must not change. My opinion is that the bars and restuarants must not be allowed to set up in the stall area on Sundays. Also, all stalls must pay a fee for setting up, the fee being in ratio to the area taken. Fish stalls must be away from the main stalls. Everybody pays tax.
B.Bugeja
Aug 4th 2010, 23:20
Ma nistax nifhem jien kif kulhadd kontra l monti!! Ghalhiex??!!! Mela dawn mhux nies bhalna irridu jaqilu x jieklu!!! Tal monti gew qabel tal hwienet, huma bdewh il kummerc. X jiggifiri tal hwienet jarmaw u huma le!! Mela mhux bhalhom! Ghalxiex il minnu baxx kulhadd ittih bis sieq?? Irridu NINBIDDLU irridu nibdghu nghinuhom u MHUX inkomplu narquhom. Din bhal l istorja tal qasba il huta! Ghalxiex ir ragel kien qal lit tifel biex mhux ittih il huta biss? ghax darba tuza!! imbghad qallu biex minflok jghinu biex ikolli x jiekol kuljum!!!!!
Carmel Garcia
Aug 4th 2010, 07:34
Ara vera pajjiz tal-MICKY MOUSE....hahaha... Kulhadd irid jiggudika.
martin saliba
Aug 3rd 2010, 22:38
Someone probbably wants to keep it nice an clean so he / she can open it officially so they can have something to brag about.
Noel Borg
Aug 3rd 2010, 21:05
I see the stalls as part and parcel of Maltese and Marsaxlokk culture.
Rules, rules, rules and we destroy everything that is remotely Maltese.
Apart from a charming attraction for tourists (a stroll on an empty pavement that takes 2 mins is plain boring), it motivates locals to be in the area and create a local atmosphere.
As long as they stick to their working hours, I do not see anything wrong. There is a time and place to accomodate everything and everyone. Why something at the expense of another?
I feel we are at risk of eradicating all the local charm that we locals appreciate and foreigners seek.
K Vella
Aug 4th 2010, 08:24
Agreed, I think that the daily stalls should remain. The amount is managable, but the Sunday Market should remain where it is now.
As regards to restaurant owners, there should be a fee per square metre and an allocated approved number of covers that should be placed on the promenade. Together with an approved permit on the type of furniture used as well. This should be a standard for all touristic areas.
N. Bonnici
Aug 4th 2010, 09:42
@ k Vella - Im sorry but the Sunday Market CANNOT remain where it is now. Seems like you talk/write without knowing the situation. Can you think further? It may be ok where they are now during the Summer period but it would be a disaster for the poor hawkers during the Winter period where the stalls will, for sure, be badly affected by the wind and rain. Rain water will flow down, like a river, all the way down the Powerstation road & customers for sure WILL NOT walk in rain water up the hill. Not to forget that all products displayed on stalls will be full of dust/rain water and you can imagine the frustration. Especially if wind is blowing into the hawkers faces. Like they are now they have no protection from the Winter weather. No protection at all. At least on the promenade they will have each other as protection. Please also note that with the promenade made wider and with nohawkers' vans inside there will be enough space for people to enjoy a nice walk (especially women with pushchairs) and whoever wishes to buy something from the market this would also be possible.(to be cont...)
N. Bonnici
Aug 4th 2010, 09:47
(cont'd...) - Heavy fines SHOULD be introduced for all those hawkers who leave a mass of rubbish behind. This could be a good source of income for the Marsaxlokk Local Council and im sure that less rubbish will be left behind. Thanks
B.Bugeja
Aug 3rd 2010, 20:28
Fl opinjoni tieghi Marsaxlokk mhux il waterfront, hemmhekk post tax xoghol. Kif kien marsaxlokk qabel kien ahjar ghax kulhadd kien jaqla jieklu. U rridu nifhmu din li mhux kulhadd huwa intelligenti (mhux biex najjar). Mela hekk jien intelligenti nista namel li rrid u ghax tkun zghir, Li dawn mimlijin talenti bhal lohrajn , ma jistghux le jaqilu il hobza taghhom!!???
a.borg
Aug 3rd 2010, 19:14
jekk tiparkja fuq double line il Hadd filghodu mxlokk jigi malajr il warden u jghatik citazjoni sa hemm ok ghax tkun qed tikser il ligi imma la il kunsil ta mxlokk u lanqas il warden donnhom ma indunaw certu restaurant li barra li ghandi skip ma kienx kuntent bhekk izda nizel zewg umbrelel li hadu post ta zewg parking u biex tkompli iz- zid jiftahom u il karozzi ta linja jew xi veturi ohra ma kunux jistaw jghadu,ara kemm ahna ta dahk nixtieq inkun naf l-awtorijiet fejn qedin!!!! u kunsil,igiferi dan mhux jikser il ligi ma kontx naf li l-umbrelel issa jistaw jiparkjaw fit toroq
Joseph Calleja
Aug 3rd 2010, 19:10
But this is Malta, we do what we please and nobody is going to stop us.
We put stalls where ever and whenever we please.
We park caravans wherever and whenever we please.
We erect umbrellas on any beach wherever and whenever we please.
We overtake other cars where ever and whenever we please.
We park our cars where ever and when ever we please.
We use our mobiles where ever and whenever we please
You fill the next one.
And so on and on. Why bother. OIM
Michael Scicluna
Aug 3rd 2010, 19:23
Frank Sinatra said 'We'll do it our way'.
Joe Busuttil
Aug 3rd 2010, 21:11
I guess that's why we are considered as a joke by the rest of the world.
Charles Busuttil
Aug 3rd 2010, 17:54
How about asking the residents of Marsaxlokk to state their ideas about the whole business? After all we are the most hit with the open market's impact on our lives every blessed Sunday from early dawn to dusk and with the excessive number of chairs and tables.
A. Abela
Aug 3rd 2010, 17:23
I think that the Police should also take a look at the 2 caravans that have become PERMANENT FIXTURES on the beach near the M'Xlokkplayground /Hunters Towera area beach. These caravans have been occupying opublic land since the start of summer, we go at least 3 times a week to this bay and they have not moved from their fixed place. Isn't it against the law to stay fixed with a caravan after sunset? So now i can get a tent or a van and go and camp myself there also.?
l.farrugia
Aug 3rd 2010, 17:10
minbarra duhhan, skips,zibel u xejn spazju ghal min irrid jaghmel zewg passi max-xatt f'dan ir-rahal l-aktar li tispikka hija l-evazjoni tat-taxxa. Hadd ma jaghti ircevuta, issib tixtri prodotti imitati għal dawk tad-ditta, u ikkupar ta materjal iehor. Jekk titlob l-ircevuta issib min jghidlek hallih hawn u tixtri xejn. Meta ghamilt rapport il-gighma ta wara dehru xi spetturi tat-taxxa u malli l-kelma imxiet li kien hemm l-ispetur kulhadd hareg il-cash register. Dawn huma l-affarijiet li qed isiru min dawn il-bullies.
c. camilleri
Aug 3rd 2010, 17:01
. No one should be allowed to act in defiance of the law. I hope that the police will take action against these bullies. Now about the project which is truly beautiful.
In my opinion all this is just a waste of money. The beauty of the work done will be overshadowed once the stallers and restaurants' owners are allowed to occupy the whole area with their street furniture. Areas for table should be limited and the place should be free for pedestrians to stroll and roam freely. All the money spent should be for all the people not for just a few. All the efforts to upgrade this place will be in vain if the place is not free for the enjoyment of the people who go to Marsaxlokk to relax in the beautiful surroundings. As for the rest prosit and well done job.
CHARLES TANTI
Aug 3rd 2010, 16:47
Prosit Mr.M.H.calleja tal kummenti tieghek. jien qatt ma mort Marsaxlokk niekol u qaghad
niekol barra.Jien dejjem qaghad niekol gewwa.Mux skips biss ikun hemm imma
duhhan tal karrozzi il gurnata kollha.
Mario H Calleja
Aug 3rd 2010, 15:41
I don't know how people can enjoy a meal on the promenade when skips are next to your table. The promenade should be kept clear and only a few tables be allowed. No skips on the promenade please.
Alfred Zammit
Aug 3rd 2010, 15:25
What did the hawkers in Valletta do when the Monti was moved temorarily till the paving was finished?
Do the restaurants pay for eachAgeed TABLE ON THE PAVEMENT/PROMANADE?
Do hawkers have the overhead expenses the shops/restaurant have?
Is the space used by each hawker as per permit?
How much do the hawkers pay for their permit ?
Why was the Promanade renewed if its going to be covered by stalls and tables and chairs leaving little space for the actual reason this facelift was made,to be enjoyed by all and not occupied by these bullies.
Can any citizen go down to this promanade and take out table and chairs and say have a bbq or a picknic?
Whatdoes the permitthe hawkers have permit them to do?Can the hawkers put up their stalls on the;ZUNTIER TAL KNIESJA?
Athousand and one questions can be asked and yet its these hawkers,shop/restaurant owners who think they can occupy wherever they like ;BID DRITT; at the expense of all taxepayers.
K Bugeja
Aug 3rd 2010, 15:09
We are starting to control the bus owners, ta taxis u dry docks, now we have a new bunch street hawkers and restaurants!!!!
Is the goverment afraid to control these people? Just leave the stalls where they are now.
As a tax payer and resident I want to enjoy the tranquility of my own village and let all the public enjoy the promenade, especially on a Sunday morning & afternoon.
Michael Neville Cassar
Aug 3rd 2010, 14:45
@Joe Bonnici I agree with you 100% the quantity of chairs not permitting to use the footpath to walk onto apart from the congestion that you have mentioned .
a.borg
Aug 3rd 2010, 14:23
jien nistaqsi lill restaurants se jghamlulhom amont ta imwejjed u siggijiet kemm jistaw johorgu ghax jien u familja inzilna sa mxlokk u ma stajniex nimxu ghax l-imwejjed jibqaw sejrin sa tarf tal bahar,l-ebda post f'malta ma hemm hekk li jistaw johorgu imejjed kemm irridu,fuq il biejjiegha tal monti ma nistax nimagina kif jistaw jithlu bla vans meta irridu ihottu specjalment dawk ta kul nhar ta Hadd,
C Cassar
Aug 3rd 2010, 14:13
The stalls should be banned from the promenade forever, they are an eysore. How about a full income tax and VAT investigation on each of the stall holders who broke the law by setting up without authorisation? Now that should be very productive.
M. Camilleri
Aug 3rd 2010, 14:02
Sinjuri Calleja u Bonnici, jien ma narmax fuq il-monti, iżda nista' nifhem li dawn in-nies iridu jitimgħu lill-familji tagħhom bħalma jagħmel kulħadd! DAN HUWA L-UNIKU MEZZ TA' GĦIXIEN LI GĦANDHOM!
Franco Farrugia
Aug 3rd 2010, 15:03
Sur Camilleri - Jien biex niekol u naqla' l-ghixien tieghi ma naghmilx uzu minn art pubblika, u ma nippretendix li l-pajjiz ghandu jghinni biex inmantni lili nnifsi. Studjajt, qlajt il-bazwa u investejt fija nnifsi! Jekk dan huwa l-uniku mezz ta' ghixien taghhom, jaraw x'jaghmlu!
Conrad Busuttil
Aug 4th 2010, 06:45
@ Mr Franco Farrugia
AMEN to that. Been there done that! It will not only help the individual but also contribute to a smarter community and a healthier economy as well.
N. Bonnici
Aug 4th 2010, 10:13
@ Franco Farrugia - Ghaziz Franco, Int kas car ta "jiena studjajt u nara lil kulhadd dubbien". Nixtieq ninfurmak li li kieku f'Malta kulhadd ghamel bhalek (studja etc etc...) illum il-gurnata nassigurak li ma kienx ha jkun hemm post ghalik biex tahdem. Nixtieq niftahlek ghajnejk ukoll u nghidlek li li kieku f'Malta kulhadd ghamel bhalek (studja etc etc...) ma kienx ikun hemm min jigborlok z-zibel kuljum minn wara darek, lanqas min jiftahlek d-dranagg kull meta jinstad, u lanqas min jiknes t-toroq. Ma nkomplix ghax ma nispicca qatt. Jekk tahseb li ghax studjajt ilhaqt xi haga sejjer zball ghax nassigurak li tistudja kemm tistudja qatt ma taf kollox. Ma jfissirx li ghax studjajt tista tirfes lil min ma studjax, qala il-bazwa u investa fih nnifsu! Ghax minghajr dak li ma studjax, qala il-bazwa u investa fih innifsu, kieku f'Malta qeghdin nghixu fiz-zibel u d-dranagg. Biex r-rota iddur hemm bzonn ta kull tip ta nies. Grazzi
N. Bonnici
Aug 4th 2010, 10:22
@ Conrad Busuttil - "AMEN to that. Been there done that! It will not only help the individual but also contribute to a smarter community and a healthier economy as well." ---> Another typical example of "hey i studied and im better than everyone else" - im sure now that you have studied you still are in need of the so called rubbish men & dranage people. Do you think you are something better now that you have studied? Oh please!! The answer is shown in your comment. Thanks
B.Bugeja
Aug 4th 2010, 23:26
@ mr Franco Farrugia
Sieheb ghamilt sewwa li stinkajt meta kont tfajjel u nifrahlek. Pero nixteq ngharfekk li mhux kulahdd intelligenti bhallek. U jien nimmaginak li allajbierkek kollox taf taghmel!!
Daisy Decelis
Aug 5th 2010, 16:54
To all those above who believe that studying is hard work I assume that they do not have a clue of a hard day's work. I also studied, went through University etc an only started working in my mid twenties. These people who did not have our same opportunity started working probably in their early teens and have to face the weather daily. Moreover "il-monti ta' Marsaxlokk" is part of our culture and a tourist attraction to some extent thus those people coming up with the comments "Studjajt, qlajt il-bazwa u investejt fija nnifsi!" don't seem to know much what they are saying and by the way Maltese tax payers financed all or part of your education so you should not feel so proud that you are earning a living without state aid!
L. calleja
Aug 3rd 2010, 14:00
The Ministry should hold an early meeting with M'xlokk stall owners to discuss when and under what conditions are they allowed to operate at the promenade. It is now up to the Ministry to fix a meeting with the stall owners.
Roderick Axisa
Aug 3rd 2010, 14:00
Mid-dehra l-ligijiet mhux l-istess ghal kulhadd. Jekk ghamlu hazin, ghamluh it-2 li huma. Ghaliex il-hawkers bil-puluzija u r-restaurants le? Jekk il-progett ghadu mhux lest u l-promenade ma jistax jintuza, mela ma JUZAH HADD. Nhar il-hadd kien hemm xi 500 mejda tar-restaurants mal-promenade kollu. Dawk ma jimpurtax?
edward ciantar
Aug 3rd 2010, 13:55
Leave the 'lungo-mare' promenade free altogether and make sure to restrict restaurateurs with their numerous street furniture. Hawkers hardly leave space from where to walk. Move them to another spot.
A.Falzon
Aug 3rd 2010, 13:42
We do not want the stallers, and the Restaurant owners should leave enough SPACE for people to have a nice stroll, along the Promenade.
WHERE IS MEPA!!?????????
PAUL ZERAFA
Aug 3rd 2010, 17:31
MR.A FALZON
I AM A STALL MAN FROM THE WEEKLY MARKET FOR THIRTHY YEARS WHO IS CLAIMING A LIVING DURING THE WORKING TIME FROM EIGHT TO FOUR AND THEN LEAVE ENOUGH TIME FOR YOU TO STROLL ALONG.NOT A RESTAURANT OWNER WHO TAKE OUT TABLES AND CHAIRS FROM EIGHT TO LATE NGHIT TO SERVE CLIENTS IN THE COMPANNY OF CATS AND DOGS IN THEIR DISCHARGES NEARTHEIR TABLES WITH HARDLY A SPACE TO PASS.
BY YOUR NAME LOOKS AS IF YOU ARE NOT A LOCAL .
Helene VanSant
Aug 3rd 2010, 13:42
As always, the rules of the jungle apply on the tiny. beautiful yet uncivilized and barbaric Malta. Quite no other place like it among third world countries. Both for beauty and savagry.
Helene VanSant
J.Cini
Aug 5th 2010, 05:05
Look who's calling the kettle black!
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/colonial-atrocities-explode-myth-of-dutch-tolerance-1439153.html
K Vella
Aug 3rd 2010, 13:27
This is a joke, public space used for commercial use!!!!
The restaurants and stall owners use public space for their profits. I would like to know what is the annual fee for such permit. Restaurant tables is already scattered all over the promenade, pavement with no real control with all sort of furniture as long revenue is cashed in.
I would wish to know who is taking care of the local residents interests, as if only restaurants and hawkers are the main topic here....where are our MPs? where are our councillors?
Now, by end of the Summer Hon Jason Azzopardi will start enforcing the encroachment policy to show that the government is taking the necessary measures...at that time this will be too late, you fool the people once but not twice.
m.farrugia
Aug 3rd 2010, 13:01
il-liġi qeda hemm ghal kulhadd u dawn il-cowboys ghandhom jittiehdu passi kontra taghhom. Il-Gvern jekk irrid izomm dixiplina fil-pajjiz u ma jiġix akkuzat li huwa dajjef ma certa nies irrid jiehu l-passi kollha. Marsaxlokk mhux xi repubblika fir-repubblika Maltija
Vasilisa Brandenburg
Aug 3rd 2010, 12:50
Of course... personal interest before all...
N.Calleja
Aug 3rd 2010, 12:47
The police should bounce on these bullies who think they own the place and fine them severely every time they break the rules. The country has paid for all the improvement that should not be usurped by the usual handful of irresponsable hawkers and restaurant owners!
Joe Cassar
Aug 3rd 2010, 16:42
The hawkers aree being evicted to make space for the restaurant owners. Haven't you noticed?
Paul Camilleri
Aug 3rd 2010, 17:22
Joe Cassar lanqas is-sidien tar-restoranti ma ghandhom jithallew jarmaw fil-promenade. Jekk iridu jarmaw gewwa mhux barra sar jintuza minn restoranti, hwienet, bejjiegha u kulhadd ghan-negozju u povru Malti ma jistax jippassigga u jgawdu ftit is-sbuhija ta' pajjizna bla xkiel.
Joe Bonnici
Aug 3rd 2010, 12:47
Leave the promenade free for people to stroll and enjoy and not to be occupied with these market stalls who barely leave a passage and cause congestion. Block the promenade and make it impossible to pass their stalls through.