Can the above government department justify the extension of closing time for pubs in residential areas like Simon’s Pub in Depiro Street, Sliema, which opens from 8pm till 3.30am in the morning, every day of the week except Monday?

Some 300 residents of Depiro Street and Manuel Dimech Street are sick and tired of the noise pollution, the shouting and blaspheming, banging of car doors, horns hooting, illegal parking in front of garage doors, cars parked the wrong way on pavements.

The police, when informed of all these illegalities, shrug their shoulders saying he has a permit to remain open till late, it is not their problem. Neither is the Sliema local council interested in its citizens’ peace of mind and hours of rest, and come election time it will be payback time.

The Sliema residents will look to the party who will defend their rights.

The owner of Simon’s Pub should not use the open porch, supposedly to keep smokers from polluting the inside of the pub, to pollute Depiro Street with noise and swearing. He should enclose the open porch and soundproof it as required by law.

We, the citizens of Depiro Street and lower Manuel Dimech Street are fed up with these gymnastics. It is time the commercial department reviews the closing time of such pubs and makes them close at 11pm sharp – for the benefit of residents.

Joe Louis

SLIEMA