Valletta souvenir shop owners still feel they are being left in the dark

Souvenir shop owners in St John’s Street, Valletta feel they are still being left in the dark as to when they will be removed from their current location.

Government intends to remove these shops in order for certain works at St John’s Co-Cathedral to take place.

Last April, souvenir shop owners adjacent to the cathedral received a letter informing them that they had to pack their items and leave the shop by 30 June. The letter was sent by the court through the Lands Department.

Some weeks ago, this newsroom published an article where shop owners were under the impression they were not going to receive compensation, however this now seems to have changed.

A meeting with Parliamentary Secretary for Planning Deborah Schembri was then held on 8 July. Shop owners speaking with this newsroom said they were told that it would not be possible for government to give them an alternative site in the capital city, as there aren’t any available. “However, Dr Schembri did say that compensation will be discussed. Dr Schembri also indicated that she will speak with the St John Co-Cathedral Foundation and try and get them to extend the time we have before being asked to leave until after the summer months”.

Since the meeting however, they have not heard anything. This means that the owners cannot make any plans whatsoever. While the initial letter stated that they were to move out by the end of June, this has not yet happened.

Shop owners have filed a court application to stop the process, however the courts have yet to take a decision.