Vendors protest outside Floriana council

Around 30 street vendors yesterday protested to the Floriana council about permits for next Saturday’s Labour Party meeting on the Granaries. Some slept outside the council offices for three days to make sure they were among the first to apply. They insisted the council should give permits on a first-come, first-served basis and presented mayor Nigel Holland with 75 names of who should get first preference when applications open tomorrow.

There are 77 spots for hawkers on the Granaries. The mayor argued the council had legal advice to draw the names by lots if applications were received all at one go.

Mr Holland said he had a duty to protect residents who complained about the vendors sleeping outside their homes. A meeting was scheduled with the vendors’ legal adviser Franco Debono.