People entering Valletta this morning were surprised to notice monti open market stalls set up in Ordnance Street.

The relocation has been sanctioned by the government, although no official statement was issued prior to the change.

Most of the hawkers made the move and only a handful did not turn up at Ordnance Street. 

A spokesperson for the Ministry of the Economy confirmed that the move from Merchants Street to Ordnance Street is now permanent.

In a statement early this afternoon, the government said Valletta monti hawkers were relocated from Merchants Street to Ordnance Street. This fulfils the government’s commitment made in the Budget Document for 2014 where it was stated that “The monti in Valletta will be moved to Triq l-Ordinanza. This measure will be of benefit to both the buyers and sellers as this shift will make this market more accessible.”

 

This move has been carried out in line with the Government’s commitment to safeguard the interests of the monti hawkers and their families, who are dependent on this trade, and the consumers themselvesm the Economy Ministry said. As it has done in the past, the ministry will continue to collaborate with the monti hawkers, Valletta shop owners and all other stakeholders to preserve and maintain the monti tradition.

The relocation was promised by the Labour Party before the election, but negotiations took much longer than expected. The initial idea was for the monti hawkers to take up that part of the road between Parliament and the open theatre, but this was later rejected.

There is also an issue about the stalls that will be used, but it seems that the ministry has put aside this issue for now and chose accept the move to Ordnance Street without there having been a decision on the stalls.

Photos Jonathan Borg