The relocation of the Valletta monti to Ordnance Street will go ahead in the coming weeks, though no new stalls will be introduced immediately, the Times of Malta is informed.
The long-awaited relocation, originally earmarked for early last year, was repeatedly held by issues over logistics, as well as public concern over the placement and also design of new stalls.
Following a public expression of interest, a design panel chaired by the Chamber of Architects selected a new design earlier this year, but hawkers took issue with the “functionality” of the proposal, prompting a return to the drawing board.
A ministry spokeswoman told the Times of Malta that as talks were still ongoing, the move to Ordnance Street would go ahead in the coming weeks as planned but the present stalls would be retained for the time being.
The design would be consistent and compatible with the surrounding area
There is no timeline for new stalls to be introduced. A tendering process will ensue after the new design is finalised. The Malta Independent reported yesterday that the government had ditched the winning design for the stalls, created by architects Ray Said and Rupert Pace, in favour of a series of mechanised, four-wheeled trailers resembling traditional Maltese buses.
However, in a statement, the Economy Ministry denied that a final decision had been made and said consultations with monti hawkers were still ongoing.
“Representatives and monti sellers have found the winning design aesthetically pleasing but have, on multiple occasions, voiced their concerns on the functionality of the design,” the ministry said.
“The picture circulating in the media was an example of many shown during a closed consultative session of possible moveable stalls, also known as trailers, which do not require daily assembly and dismantling, and reduce the noise pollution generated during assembly, as do the current stalls being used by the monti hawkers,” it added.
According to the ministry, some sellers expressed their preference for a fixed stall. This, however, is seen by the government as “complicating the process”, because it will require Planning Authority permits and require the street to be closed even when the market is not operating.
The winning design envisaged a series of fixed stalls running down the centre of Ordnance Street.
The stalls would remain in place but could be folded away when not in use.
The ministry said no final decision had been taken and insisted the eventual plan and design would “be consistent and compatible with the surrounding area… and take into consideration the suggestions of all stakeholders and the architectural significance of the surrounding area.”