The Economy Ministry has confirmed that the design for the new Monti stalls have been chosen and will soon be unveiled.

Back in February, government had issued a call for expressions of interest to replace the Valletta market stall designs, which were subject to a great deal of controversy.

In a statement at the time, the government said that after it took note of the public’s sentiment on the issue, it chose to make another call for design submissions. The chosen design would then be used once the market is relocated to Ordnance Street. Government had emphasised that the stalls should be practical for the Monti hawkers.

Just a few days ago, government also said that stalls will no longer be placed between Parliament and the Theatre, and would require a number of hawkers to surrender their license.

This newsroom had spoken with a Monti Hawker Committee member, who said that they had an agreement with the Labour Party, prior to the 2013 elections, for the stalls to be placed in Ordnance Street, from one end to the other.

Valletta Mayor Alexiei Dingli, speaking with this newsroom, explained that he was not present for the vote on the designs for the stalls as two weeks prior, the Council had taken a vote and did not approve any of the proposed designs in April this year.

“The Council had unanimously said that a call for fresh designs was needed and that consultation should take place prior to this”. He said that a letter was sent to the Ministry stating this.

The Mayor added that there had been one out of the five finalist proposals that was aesthetically pleasing, however it involved a wall being built in the middle of the road which would have visuals when the monti was not in operation, and would open with stalls when the monti was there. The council however, did not want a wall in the middle of the road.

The proposals, the council minutes read, were not suitable for the capital city.