The Malta Hotel and Restaurants Association intends to continue working to ensure that the issue of pavement and road encroachments for the placing of tables and chairs is tackled in a clear and consistent manner.
This would be of benefit to all stakeholders involved including operators within the industry, consumers and the public, it said in a statement
MHRA made its statement following last week’s announcement that the Malta Tourism Authority had agreed to reduce the bank guarantee that was imposed for the placing of outdoor table and chairs.
The MHRA Restaurants Committee has been involved in negotiations with the MTA and the government about this issue for more than two years and welcomed the reduction in fees at this stage.
“However, the association will continue to work towards having these guarantees removed completely for those that have never infringed the permit conditions and have held a clean track record throughout their term of operation.”
During discussions between the MTA and the MHRA, MTA CEO Josef Formosa Gauci reiterated that, at this stage, the authority was not in a position to concede to the MHRA’s request for a complete removal of the bank guarantee, but felt it was opportune to reduce the fees.
The MHRA has also been requesting the government a proper set of clear guidelines on pavement and beach encroachments, so that operators would have a clear set of rules as to what was permissible with regards to the provision of furniture and related items to ensure the safety of patrons while allowing adequate passageways for pedestrians.
During meetings held over the last few weeks with Minister George Pullicino, Parliamentary Secretary Jason Azzopardi and Parliamentary Secretary Mario De Marco, there were strong indications that an agreement could be reached, pending only the final approval of the proposals made to the Quality Assurance division of MTA last week.
During meetings with Minister Pullicino, the MHRA also addressed the pending concession permits of several restaurateurs in Marsaxlokk whose application has been on hold for a good number of months, in relation to the issue of placing of tables and chairs.
The proposals by the MHRA aim to give the government an assurance that the operators awarded the concessions will exercise prudence in their operations and allow pedestrians to enjoy the use of the promenade in a safe and tranquil manner.