The Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and the Self-Employed, Edwin Vassallo drew the attention of shop owners that following the publication of the amendments to the Trade Licences Regulations that came into effect on 1 January 2006, summer opening hours are effective from 1 March to 31 October.

The shops that are allowed to open in tourist localities during the summer period from 6am to 11pm, are those which sell predominantly: beverages, sweets, tobacco products, fish, crustaceans, molluscs, watches, clocks, jewellery, souvenirs, craft-work items, books, newspapers, stationery, office items, perfumery items, swimming and diving equipment, photographic, optical and related precision items.

These shops are allowed to open in the following localities:

• In Malta: Birzebbuga, Cospicua, Floriana, Gzira, Marsascala, Marsaxlokk, Mdina, Mellieha, Msida, Rabat, Senglea, Sliema, St Julian’s, St Paul’s Bay, Swieqi, Ta’ Qali Crafts Village, Ta’ Xbiex, Valletta, Vittoriosa and Wied iz-Zurrieq.

• In Gozo: Marsalforn and Qbajjar, Mgarr, Ta’ Dbiegi Crafts Village, Victoria and Xlendi

Furthermore, in these localities and during this period, those stores selling predominantly foodstuffs (grocers), and which do not cover more than 350 square metres of shop floor space, may remain open for business on a Sunday or other public holiday, between 6am and 5pm.