Could someone explain why restaurateurs who have applied for licences to have outside seating and canopies are being penalised in exactly the same manner as owners who have simply flouted the law by never applying to the authorities at all?

The best restaurant in Xlendi, beloved by locals and tourists alike, is being forced to close despite being in a pedestrianised road and having applied to the relevant authorities for a permit three years ago. They are still waiting in a backlog of bureaucracy.

By all means, take draconian action against those who have chosen to ignore the law by occupying public space, but do not punish the law-abiding, hard-working restaurateur. Speed up the process and grant licences as long as the public right of way is not obstructed.

As all overseas visitors prefer to eat al fresco whenever possible, this heavy-handed enforcement is to the detriment of the already-threatened tourism sector.