Let’s stop the beach bullies
Summer is once more upon us and so is the all too familiar problem of the invasion of the best bits of public beaches that is “occupied” by deck chairs and umbrellas “for hire”.
These deck chairs and umbrellas should be forbidden from the beach area unless actually hired and paid for.
It should also be the choice of the individual where to site it, within the limits of the concession area, of course.
These arrogant concessionaires must surely think that they own the good parts of the beach. They, thus, rob other users of open beach every day from dawn until the sun sets.
It really is a dereliction of duty on the part of the relevant authorities that these concession operators are allowed to operate in the way they do.
With modern photographic equipment, evidence can be collected and presented, to courts, if need be, for the rogue operators to be held to the terms of their franchise.
Revocation of the permit for a second offence should be automatic and a disqualification period of five years against holding another permit should be awarded.
One wonders what would happen should someone wish to use a part of the beach occupied by an unhired sun lounger or umbrella and insisted that the concession holder removed the items so that the individual could enjoy that particular part of the beach.
It is an act that I, personally, would be willing to carry out and beggar the outcome. I would stand my ground and invite the presence of the police and I would only back down if proof of ownership on the part of the concession operator were evident for that part of the beach.
Too many people just allow these bullies to carry on as if they were the lawful owners of public property and the authorities are, to my mind, complicit by their inaction to enforce the terms of the concession or to remove unauthorised operators.
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Mr mario aquilina
Jul 5th 2012, 23:32
You'll be surprised how much one saves, if one like myself hate being around sand.
On the rocks, one do not get umbrella and deckchairs concessionaires, no parking attendants, and hardly any children screaming. How nice. I'm in heaven. Seaside from Monday till Friday only. Weekend at the bar.
It doesn't take much to make me happy. Pint of shandy in Qawra 1 Euro, in Valletta same pint in a well known coffee shop 4.5 euros. It's Criminal.
Franco Farrugia
Jul 6th 2012, 08:48
No, it's not 'criminal'. If you don't like the price, don't buy.
ANTHONY PAVIA
Jul 6th 2012, 11:10
You are right. Criminal it is not. However, brazen profiteering it is. Is this the reason we are losing bed nights (a far better measure of tourist commercial activity than simple tourist arrival numbers) to our Mediterranean competitors, who are seen to, and actually deliver a far better value product?
Brian Smith
Jul 5th 2012, 15:04
They do pay the local council rent to use the beach
Peter Murray
Jul 5th 2012, 17:44
And your point is .FYI they do not pay LOCAL COUNCIL RENT(as no such rent exists for a public beach area-)as you put it ,so please get your facts right before submitting a comment
James McIntosh
Jul 5th 2012, 18:46
But not for "exclusive title" to prevent others from using the public beach unless they hire a sunbed or umbrella, from certain operators. These people pay a licence for the right to operate at that location, not to give them right to the entire space of the beach
Marie Benoit
Jul 5th 2012, 14:07
Mr Macintosh and Ms Peterson are assuming that this is a normal country and 'accountability' exists. It does not exist either at the top or at the bottom, by and large.
How does one stand up to the bullies Ms Petersen?
First of all once you report them (and they will soon find out who reported them) then it will be impossible to use that beach again for fear of retribution. Furthermore it is unlikely that the report will be followed through. It will probably be intercepted by a friend, the friend of a friend, a Minister, his driver, a relative, an MP etc. etc. etc. Especially with the general election on our doorstep parliamentarians are busy making sure that not a single vote is lost. This is a country of Favours and Contacts. It is a small island and everyone knows everyone else. That is the way it works - or does not work.
The only way to clear the beaches from the umbrellas and deckchairs etc. which should not be there is if there is a proper campaign conducted in the media warning the perpetrators that they will be fined if caught. After warning them then it is time for surprise raids and fines.
Let's see if this problem will be solved or whether it will be brought up again next year, and the year after etc.
Pauline Peterson
Jul 5th 2012, 15:11
Actually I think you are right, and everyone is related to someone who knows someone high up and the problem will not go away. Very sad really. Who knows maybe in a few years time, there will be no space at any beach, unless you hire their umbrellas and deckchairs. Perish the thought.
On the right hand side of this page there is a link to a similar article - DATED 2006.
Carmel Vella
Jul 6th 2012, 00:11
Seems, you know the Maltese too well.
D Vella
Jul 5th 2012, 13:53
Hmm . . . maybe it's time the Government Property Divsion wakes up and starts to do its job . . . don't they have an 'enforcement' unit or something?
Peter Murray
Jul 5th 2012, 17:54
Going back a number of years I ,and many other people ,have long complained about such public land expropriation and the excessive(read illegal)commandeering of beach space concessions along with gross aberrations-read complete ignoring and violation of such- of the terms and conditions of operation of such concessions-but who is listening or maintaining and enforcing such criiteria?We have a wild west culture and menatality and simply claim any stretch of land as belonging to us when one pays for a beach concession which far exceeds the area allotted or the terms of operation.With any luck the sea turtles will pay us more visits and lay more eggs in these contested zones -especially at Ghadira and the Armier beaches
Peter Murray
Jul 5th 2012, 17:57
Dear D VELLA,
With respect I have written every year since 1998 to the GPD saying pretty much the same (and a lot of local councils ,the police and anyone else I could think of).Needless to say this resulted in ABSOLUTELY NO END PRODUCT -AS THEY ARE ALL NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE
Victor Pulis
Jul 5th 2012, 11:42
This is starting to happen even at Ghajn tuffieha where the local restaurant is putting up umbrellas and sun beds even at the furthest spot on the beach. I thought the permit only allows use of the part of the beach nearest the restaurant.
Charles Micallef
Jul 5th 2012, 11:03
This happens year after year and these bullies get away with their arrogance of occupying private land.
Carmel Vella
Jul 6th 2012, 00:31
It's worse than that. IT IS PUBLIC LAND.
Franco Farrugia
Jul 5th 2012, 10:17
One other thing: 'beach bullies' are not only the 'concessionaires' with the beach furniture - beach bullies are also those many many people, who think that once they arrived at the beach, they own as much of the sandy beach as their kin and the things they bring with them can occupy. Occupy, occupy, occupy. That is the one word by which all Maltese live by. Loudness, loud music, playing all kinds of ball-games in the water to the detriment of those who seek solace and quiet, etc... And then, what about the terrible mess that is often left behind - what the heck do I care, I pay taxes (?), say some; let the 'government' clean up after me, at least I will be taking something back! Typical Maltese mentality.
Franco Farrugia
Jul 5th 2012, 10:14
Well, most visitors to the beach go there in order to rest, to relax and to enjoy themselves, not to play the militant heroes. But I understand, of course, the main gist of your letter. There must be a balance: there should be a part of the sandy beach reserved for these organised deckchairs and umbrellas; another part should be left free of such furniture.
Abroad, you pay, even to enter a beach. But then, you can find all kinds of utilities, there, including clean and well-kept bathrooms and showers. The situation is different in Malta. In Malta, the mentality is that everything comes free of charge, everything should be free so that I can make use of things and then I don't give a darn as to who cleans up after me, who sets the sand right the next morning ... that sort of thing.
M Cachia
Jul 5th 2012, 10:43
Pay for the beach - where? It is public land! I've seen beaches where you pay to use the amenities but I've never seen a beach were you pay to use the sea!
Franco Farrugia
Jul 6th 2012, 08:45
Well, then, you need to go swimming in Italy for starters!
Victor Rodenas
Jul 5th 2012, 10:07
This has been going on for many years now ,be assured that nothing will happen.
Lawrence Caruana
Jul 5th 2012, 10:06
May I ask, are dogs allowed on our beaches ?
I have nothing against these pets,but looking at our
pavements it makes me wonder,would we be in the same situation !!
Peter Murray
Jul 5th 2012, 17:59
Answer is no -between JUNE -SEPTEMBER on public beaches
Franco Farrugia
Jul 6th 2012, 08:44
@ Mr Caruana: Is it only dogs that mess up your life? Dogs don't mess up MY life - human beings do. But unfortunately I am stuck with them on the beach. Is it only dog-pooh that you are able to see?
Pauline Peterson
Jul 5th 2012, 09:20
What a well written letter. Let's stand up to these "bullies". Give them an inch and take the whole beach.
And how do we know that where the umbrellas are, are within their permits. Selfish operators.
Please choose the reason of your report below: