A large aluminium structure mounted outside a Sliema outlet provoked the anger of the local council, which is worried it would restrict accessibility to the pavement.

Mayor Anthony Chircop said the council had very little control over the structure being set up in front of the Sottozero ice cream parlour on the Ferries. The matter was reported to the authorities, he added.

“We’re against the idea because there’s a problem with access,” Mr Chircop said. 

“There’s a problem with people who use wheelchairs or pushchairs.”

Pedestrians were seen struggling to make their way through one of the busiest pavements in Sliema, especially those wheeling pushchairs or wheelchairs.

A Sottozero management spokesman told Times of Malta all necessary permits were in hand. The company the premises were rented from assured Sottozero everything was in order, outlet manager Edward Mizzi said on Wednesday.

Large outside structures set up by restaurants to accommodate customers have caused many a headache for two local councils over the past few months, amid claims of a free-for-all.

St Julian’s mayor Guido Dalli had come out strongly against a platform installed to accommodate tables and chairs in Paceville Avenue. The platform took up the space of two parking lots, the council complained earlier in the year.