The long-standing Magic Kiosk in St Anne Square, Sliema, whose emphyteusis has expired, started being removed yesterday by employees of the Government Property Division.

The GPD started the operation after the owner, Joseph Pace, failed to do the operation himself when the emphyteusis expired. Administrative law enforcement police were present. Mr Pace himself was there as well for a time.

The work is expected to take some four days and will be followed by work to restore the square to its original state, with the provision of a replica of the fountain that used to be on the square, and a small kiosk which used to stand there as well.