Floriana deputy mayor Matthew Paris is threatening not to allow the annual Isle of MTV concert to be held on the Granaries after the government “abandoned” the locality’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Floriana and Valletta once again organised their respective street parties but while events in the capital proved to be a success despite the rain, there was a poor turnout for Floriana’s festivities organised along St Anne Street.

“A lot of things went wrong with last night’s event. In the current state I doubt we will be hosting another New Year’s Eve party.

“One of the things I’m even considering is not giving a permit for big events at the Granaries such as Isle of MTV,” a livid Mr Paris told Times of Malta yesterday.The event was sparsely attended with many claiming online that it had been eclipsed by a similar event in Valletta.

Mr Paris accused the government of not supporting the council and focusing exclusively on the New Year’s Eve celebrations held in the capital.

‘I’d rather spend the cash fixing pavements’

“We were abandoned. No promotion, no press conferences – nothing. So is Floriana just an extended car park for Valletta?” he lamented.

The Floriana festivities almost fell through last month after the government cut its financial assistance package by a third.

The funds were later raised back after the council held talks with the government.

At the time the council had also complained of not receiving any support from the Valletta 2018 Foundation despite forming part of its remit.

The V-18 foundation had eventually agreed to give minimal support to Floriana through publicity.

Floriana started organising its New Year’s Eve street party in 2009, and Valletta followed the year after.

Mr Paris feels the council’s efforts this year could have been better spent on basic maintenance in the locality.

“Next year we might invest the money in something else. I would rather spend it on fixing a pavement than hosting another event, and I’m sure others would prefer that too,” he said.

Culture Parliamentary Secretary José Herrera defended the decision to promote Valletta’s events.

We were abandoned... so is Floriana just an extended car park for Valletta?

“We are trying to rejuvenate Valletta and this happens by hosting events there.

“Every country has a countdown in its capital city and we wanted to do the same,” he said, adding that all local councils had been given equal assistance.

Dr Herrera said all localities had their own particular event throughout the year but hosting a New Year’s Eve party in each town and village would not be practical.

Yesterday’s festivities in the capital nearly came undone after a poor weather forecast had organisers G7 preparing for the worst.

“At around 9pm I was resigned to thinking the event would be a no-go, but at around 10pm people started turning up.

“It rained a number of times but St George’s Square became a sea of umbrellas. We even improvised a singalong of Singin’ in the Rain,” G7 director Owen Spiteri said.

Some 15,000 people crammed into the open square with an estimated 30,000 visiting the capital throughout the night.

“It all went surprisingly well considering the weather forecast.

“The shows at the open-air theatre were pushed back a bit until the rain cleared but the 3D countdown definitely stole the show,”he said.