The complaint made recently by the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) members on the lack of a level playing field and an ever increasing amount of red tape they have to face on a daily basis was no surprise at all. Probably, if one had to go back to the previous meeting between the MHRA and Mepa which amazingly dates back to 1999, the conclusions would probably be on the same lines. One sincerely hopes that the presence of Mepa and Lands’ Department officials will serve the purpose of addressing the various short comings highlighted during the meeting. However, the general feeling was that it would have been much more fruitful had representatives from local councils and the police corps been invited, as these also have a leading role when it comes to enforcement especially in touristic zones.

A case in point deals with the ever increasing number of farmhouses in rural areas that are being illegally used as restaurants specialising in typical Maltese food. As it was rightly remarked, this issue needs to be addressed primarily by the police and the health department. Judging from the feedback given during the meeting, this issue is a hot potato. Nevertheless, one would expect some sort of response from the authorities, which can either legalise such activity, which has great potential in the agri-tourism sector, or else curb any abuse once and for all. The status quo of a free-for-all situation cannot prevail if the authorities really mean business.

Of particular interest was the subject of encroachment of public land. While restaurant owners voiced their concerns, especially about the methods being applied to enforce the law, one cannot but look at the other side of the coin. This issue is best highlighted in summer when beach concessions for hiring umbrellas and sunbeds are a usual source of squabble between the public and lido operators. The most frequent complaint by the public is that if they want to enjoy a day by the sea, they have no other option but to dip into their pockets and rent the necessary equipment for some shade.

Though the law stipulates that a fixed area of land has to remain free to the public, from time to time some lido operators tend to extend their allocated zones, taking up practically all the beach. This issue seems to be never ending, with various administrations doing sporadic enforcements from time to time as a knee-jerk reaction to public outcry.

Other cases which frequently crop up and are of concern regard encroachment concessions for cafeterias, bars and restaurants. Unfortunately, some owners fail to comprehend that it is their duty to ensure a clear and adequate access to pedestrians, bearing in mind that in busy areas there are also safety considerations due to the large volume of traffic flowing.

Regarding the issue of bureaucracy, Government recently launched a new service called Business First aiming to offer a one-stop shop services. This is the last in a series of efforts in this direction including the Mepa reform, which according to its CEO registered a dramatic improvement in reducing the backlog and also the speed with which applications are being processed.

On a positive note, news that the government is seriously considering the introduction of Development Notification Orders for applications regarding simple modifications such as the installation of retractable canopies is welcome.