The Valletta monti. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Valletta’s image is under “serious threat” from the relocation of the monti to a site near the capital’s entrance, according to mayor Alexiei Dingli.

Dr Dingli told Times of Malta that he learnt of the plan from open-market hawkers themselves, who told him “a few weeks ago” that it was an electoral promise.

He strongly opposes the decision and the local council has not been consulted about it.

An understanding was struck between the hawkers and the Labour Party before the March 9 general election to relocate the market from Merchants’ Street to Ordnance Street.

Critics claim the market would be an unsightly addition to the entrance of the baroque capital, which will be European Capital of Culture in 2018.

Mayor was told a few weeks ago it was an electoral promise

The stalls mainly sell cheap clothing, leather goods and knick-knacks, which some opponents dismiss as largely unwanted tat.

The City Gate entrance is in the process of being transformed, with a Renzo Piano-designed parliament building and open-air theatre under construction.

Dr Dingli expressed concern about the impression the monti would give when important foreign delegations visited Parliament.

He was also worried about security threats associated with having stalls so close to the House of Representatives.

The proposal will impact the council’s plans to open Ordnance Street to vehicles to improve access to the Hastings Garden area, which the mayor said had been agreed with Transport Malta.

Monti stalls ‘must change’

Furthermore, Dr Dingli was sceptical about whether all the stalls would fit in Ordnance Street and he queried where the stall holders would park their vehicles.

“There was no consultation with the shops in the area and some have already approached us complaining about this decision,” the mayor said.

Asked if the market might spill over into Republic Street and spoil the main entrance to Valletta, Dr Dingli said: “Unfortunately this is a serious threat.

“The Government needs to change the stalls, make them uniform and aesthetically pleasing while imposing a fixed stall width, which is clearly demarcated on the floor.”

Speaking to Times of Malta last week, Joe Zrinzo, who represents the hawkers, had conceded not all the stalls would fit in Ordnance Street, so some would also have to be located up the road between the new Parliament building and the old Opera House site.

The mayor pointed out that the Renzo Piano project was designed to create five new performance spaces in Valletta – De Valette Square, the site of the Royal Theatre, the Cultural Hotspot, the majestic steps and the new square in front of the entrance.

“Now we’re unsure about the Government’s plan for the area and I cannot say how the monti will fit into this.

“What I can say is that if the plans for a cultural hub remain – as they should – then the monti will definitely be out of place,” he said.

Asked if he supported the Sunday monti traders’ wish to relocate from Blata l-Bajda park-and-ride to St James’s Ditch, close to the main bus terminus, Dr Dingli replied: “Definitely not. There are other places outside Valletta that can be used for this.”

St James’s Ditch now forms part of the bus terminus. When contacted, Arriva said talks were under way with the authorities regarding changes to the public transport situation and at this stage it did not feel it was in a position to comment on these changes until they have been finalised.

How does Valletta’s market compare with other cities?

Valletta’s monti
• The open-air stalls mainly sell casual clothes, towels and leather goods from their current site in Merchants’ Street, in front of the 19th century market building. The monti is open seven days a week from 7am till 2pm, although some traders pack up earlier.

Marseille
• The reigning European Capital of Culture boasts a wide variety of vibrant, colourful street markets. These include a fish market where local restaurateurs source their menu; a summer crafts market selling locally made soap, honey and artefacts and the crowded, chaotic Marche des Capucins in the narrow side streets near the Old Port, selling fresh produce, spices and goods targeted at the city’s large North African community. You’ll also find flower markets, book markets and flea markets.

Catania
• Open every day from 8am till 2pm in the Piazza Carlo Alberto, Catania’s main open-air market is the nerve centre of the city and is known locally as La Fiera. It sells everything from fresh produce to clothes and cosmetics. On Sundays the same busy square hosts a flea market. Around the corner is the famous La Pescheria (fish market).

Tunis
• Tunis’s central market is a typical bustling Arab souk situated at the entrance to the medina in the new town. Although it seems haphazard, there are designated areas for goldsmiths, metal workers, fabrics and local produce and spices.

Riga
• Next year’s European Capital of Culture in Latvia is home to the continent’s largest market and bazaar. This Unesco World Heritage Site is a popular tourist attraction. Join the locals as they haggle over local produce and delicacies (pig’s snout, anyone?), clothing, flowers and hardware.