Monti hawkers have moved a few metres away from their usual position in Valletta’s Merchants’ Street due to renovation works at the Palace, incensing shop owners.
We are concerned that they will keep moving further and further up the street
Shops and restaurants had not been consulted about the move, which was approved by the Small Business Ministry, a shop owner in the street complained to Times of Malta.
“We are concerned that they will keep moving further and further up the street,” he said.
Yesterday, stalls extended as far as the Early Learning Centre and the street furniture that normally occupies this area was removed.
Joe Zrinzo, a spokesman for the hawkers represented by the Għaqda Imprendituri Maltin u Għawdxin, said health and safety concerns related to scaffolding at the Palace meant the move was necessary.
“The stalls will be erected in single file so they will not in any way impact other businesses,” he said.
Asked how long the stalls would occupy their new positions, Mr Zrinzo said that depended on the length of time it took to complete the palace renovation works affecting the hawkers.
A Small Business Ministry spokesman confirmed that the move was “temporary” while palace renovation works were taking place.
“Minister Chris Cardona had a positive meeting with the shop owners’ representatives today and reassured them that this was a temporary provision,” the spokesman said.
The monti has been in the news lately after it emerged that hawkers struck a deal with Labour prior to the March 9 election to relocate permanently to Ordnance Street, close to Valletta’s City Gate.
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.
City Gate is in the process of being transformed, with a Renzo Piano-designed Parliament building and open-air theatre under construction.
Daily hawkers will have fixed positions in Ordnance Street and will have to display details to make them identifiable to customers and the authorities, according to Mr Zrinzo.
“The sooner the infrastructure is finished in Ordnance Street, the sooner the hawkers will move from Merchants’ Street completely,” Mr Zrinzo said.
The Sunday monti will also be relocated to Ordnance Street and the greater number of Sunday permit holders means that stalls will spill over into other areas of the city.
De Valette Square, part of Merchants’ Street and part of South Street are likely to be the Sunday spill over locations for monti stalls, the Government has said.