Strait Street is set to become the capital’s “new Paceville” in an attempt to rejuvenate the area, Valletta 2018 foundation chairman Jason Micallef said yesterday.

Mr Micallef said the V-18 organisers were having talks with stakeholders to look into the feasibility of turning the narrow pedestrian road into a “lively night-time location”, adding this would be done “tastefully”.

“I have personally been spending a lot of time in Valletta at different places and at all hours. I’ve noticed that, contrary to popular belief, the capital is bustling at night. We want to explore this further,” he said.

Mr Micallef said the foundation was interested in setting up an entertainment zone in the vicinity of the popular bar, Tico Tico, where similar establishments could operate well into the night.

Asked whether the area would include establishments similar to those found in the St Julian’s clubbing quarter, Mr Micallef said he would rule out nothing at this stage insisting it was too early to decide.

Asked whether such a move would bring with it any of the social problems that have afflicted the St Julian’s area, Mr Micallef said he was engaged in talks with stakeholders to ensure this would not be an issue.

The Strait Street Foundation, responsible for the artistic centre at the lower end of the narrow road, raised concerns over the nightlife initiative. It had proposed a revival of the area centred on an academy for emerging artists.

“The kind of nightlife we had in mind was more bohemian and fuelled by the arts. This [Mr Micallef’s proposal] could still work but should be done carefully,” spokesman Jesmond Xuereb said when asked to react to Mr Micallef’s comments.

The foundation’s proposal was put on the back burner earlier this year after the government failed to provide the 15 per cent funding necessary to obtain EU backing.

“When a fresh call for EU funding is made, we will be making another application and are confident we will get it this time. We hope to see the area used for fringe festivals, artists’ hostels, academies and much more,” Mr Xuereb said.