The present situation in the St Paul’s Bay area, which the St Paul’s Bay Bars and Restaurants Association described as a former tourist zone, is very serious.

How can the area be classified as major Tourist Class A, when there are hardly any tourists around, with so many hotels being demolished?, the association asked.

It said one could also forget about any trade from the local community coming to the area over the festive holidays, as there was no Christmas atmosphere. None of the approaches to St Paul’s Bay were decorated, as were the roundabouts in the rest of the Maltese Islands. In the coming months the St Paul’s Bay Bars and Restaurants Association will be working on these and other issues with the local council and authorities.

The “No smoking” rules in bars and clubs has resulted in a loss of business and the new entertainment legislation is another nail in the coffin, said the association.

Over 15,000 people live and work in the area, apart from all the workers in the numerous businesses. These same businesses have invested here and help generate money for the Maltese economy. “Do we not count like the rest of the residents of the Maltese Islands?” it asked.

St Paul’s Bay is on a downward slide, the association added. The majority of establishments and shops are closed by 5pm, as they have no trade. Anyone can judge this for themselves by a drive through Bugibba and Qawra at any time of day or night. The future looks bleak and summer trade alone is not enough to sustain businesses and jobs in this area, the statement concluded.