Rabat Square Revamped: Excess Tables And Chairs Cleared In Enforcement Move
Outdoor tables and chairs were removed from Pjazza San Ġorġ, Rabat (Gozo) in an enforcement clampdown today.
A photo posted by Rabat vice mayor George Cassar shows the popular square with only a few outdoor tables and chairs and ample space for pedestrians.
“I thank the enforcement authorities and the police for taking action in Pjazza San Ġorġ today. I hope that this balance that was struck can be maintained once and for all,” he said.
Lovin Malta is informed that the enforcement was a joint operation between the Lands Authority, the Planning Authority, the Malta Tourism Authority and the police aimed at improving accessibility in the square.
Tables and chairs were removed to ensure restaurants are in line with their concession.
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The state of Pjazza San Ġorġ was recently flagged by Times of Malta journalist Mark Laurence Zammit after he encountered problems accessing St George’s Basilica for his grandmother’s funeral.
Zammit told Lovin Malta that restaurants had erected so many tables and chairs outside that cars were blocked from driving close to the church.
“To get out of the car, I had to strike the door against a group of tourists who were eating fish,” he said.
“I had to wave through them, with my bottom hitting the table and the fish. These poor tourists were surprised and didn’t know what to do. There I was in a suit, with everyone staring at me. In my opinion, it was shameful but this is what is happening unfortunately.”