Rod Bere from Kent, UK (Why Can't We Sit In The Gozo Sunshine ? November 13) obviously has no idea what he is talking about.

The authorities are not forcing bars and restaurants to remove all the tables and chairs from the pavements, only those for which they do not hold a permit. Mr Bere does not realise that they have to apply for a permit to have seating outside their premises.

They cannot receive a permit for five tables and then decide to double that number just as they like.

While I agree that everyone, not just tourists, like to eat or drink al fresco, these bars have to comply by the regulations. It is the illegal seating that is being removed - after fair warning giving them the chance to do it themselves - has been issued.

Many areas are now being embellished with wider pavements, but this is being carried out for the comfort of pedestrians, especially those with wheel chairs, shopping trolleys, prams and pushchairs etc, not as an extra seating area, for bigger profits by the bar owners.

Mr Bere should remember the true use of pavements and that they are not owned by the bar owners.

People who openly flout the regulations, in defiance of warning notices, deserve all they get. A case in point is the example of a lovely new, wider, pavement being laid in my area, only for a club/bar which already has a yard with over 20 tables in it, to immediately reduce the width of the new pavement, by putting table and chairs on it.

I too, have seen this type of seating in London and elsewhere, but perhaps these countries have different regulations. Has Mr Bere checked on this ?

The rest of Mr Bere's letter, full of sarcasm and exaggeration, is not worthy of reply.