Valletta 2018 has refused to say whether it knew that the operators of the renovated Suq, a flagship European Capital of Culture project, planned to develop a private catering area instead of a promised exhibition space.

Operators Arkadia Group told the Planning Authority last year that the area in front of the old market would be used to host exhibitions – on the basis of which the PA issued a permit for three diamond-shaped dining areas in the middle of Merchants Street.

But when the market opened its doors in January, the ‘exhibition space’ was instead occupied by tables and chairs, for which no permit had been issued.

The Valletta 2018 Foundation, which promoted the €14 million renovation of the 1860s market as one of its flagship infrastructural projects, did not respond to questions by the Times of Malta on whether it had been aware of the plans for another dining area, and whether it approved of this use.

The PA will decide on Thursday whether to issue a permit for the extra dining area

The foundation also did not say whether it knew the operators did not have a permit for the tables and chairs or whether it was satisfied that, as originally promised, 15 per cent of the building had been reserved for cultural activity.

The market’s upper level, which the foundation previously said would be reserved for cultural initiatives such as exhibitions, discussions and live bands, has not yet been opened to the public.

The PA will decide tomorrow whether to issue a permit for the extra dining area, including a glass enclosure and 2.5-metre-high umbrellas which will be replaced after six months with retractable canopies.

The board indicated earlier this month it would reject the application due to the negative impact on the streetscape and the fact that the development has already been carried out. Arkadia representatives claimed during the last PA hearing that the additional catering area was essential to make the project viable, and that negotiations on the 65-year concession had been based on the understanding that the area would be used for that purpose.

Following the hearing, ‘private property’ signs appeared on a low ledge facing out towards Merchants Street, which had been used by passers-by as a bench. The signs disappeared again a few days later.

A study published in March highlighted specific concern among Valletta residents over the fact that those who purchased products from the stalls inside the market could only use the area outside the building.

Following the study, Valletta mayor Alexiei Dingli described the project as overly commercial and a “missed opportunity”.

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