Business picking up once again for Marsaxlokk hawkers

Marsaxlokk open air market hawkers said they have already noticed an improvement in business after being reinstated to their original spot along the embellished promenade.

The hawkers were promised they would be allowed to return to their old places after works on the second phase of the Marsaxlokk embellishment project came to an end some two weeks ago.

Last week, however, the hawkers were asked to leave the promenade by the police, and had to return to their makeshift location known as Il-Magħluq, which they had been occupying for two-and-a-half months while the promenade was being embellished. The hawkers were finally allowed to set up their stalls at their usual place on Tuesday.

When contacted, the hawkers said talks were still ongoing regarding the conditions of the move, as they were still unhappy with some of the terms. One hawker said he was unhappy that restaurants may be allowed to set up tables and chairs in the place where the open air market is located.

“After over 20 years of having set up our stalls in the same place, it is a relief to be back at our usual location,” another hawker said.

The second phase of the works on the 500-metre promenade up to the square forms part of the €2 million project that includes the setting up of a national park near the fort at Delimara.

Works on the rest of the project should be ready before Christmas, according to Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino.

The timing of the works was heavily criticised by the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association for its “bad planning” since the fishing village is usually buzzing with tourists during the summer months.