The repaving of Merchants Street and its conversion into a pedestrian zone has boosted business, shop owners told the Prime Minister when he went on a tour this morning.

Dr Gonzi was invited to visit the shops by the Merchants Street Business Association.

Association president Tonio Camilleri said 23 shops had opened in the street in the past two years and several owners had invested to upgrade their outlets.

Mr Camilleri, however, expressed concern over the loss of parking in various parts of Valletta, including St George and Freedom Squares, and suggested that the park-and-ride system should be extended. He also urged the authorities to ensure there was no disruption to access into Valletta when City Gate, and the overlying street, are demolished.

Dr Gonzi said the success achieved in Merchants Street was a pointer of how such projects generated jobs and economic activity. That too, he said, would happen once the City Gate project was complete.

During his tour the prime minister briefly chatted with a number of shop owners, including the PL's candidate for the European Parliament elections, Marlene Mizzi.

He also chatted with football enthusiasts exchanging World Cup stickers, but moved on after one of them said they were there to forget life's problems and the power bills.