Shopping village proposed in Mosta

A shopping village is being proposed on the site presently occupied by Francesco Fenech Ltd., a marble and tile-production company. The site is located on the very outskirts of Mosta, adjacent to the town boundaries of Lija and Naxxar.

The site has an area of approximately 32,200m2. 

The project, proposed by Paul Gauci on behalf of Pama Shopping Village Ltd, promises to address the present vacuum of a lack of high-quality retail centre in the central part of Malta, thereby attracting shoppers from this part of the island.

"Presently shoppers hailing from central and northern parts of Malta carry out most of their shopping in retail centres situated in Valletta, Sliema and St. Julians," a Project Development Statement presented to MEPA states.

According to the PDS, the aim of the project is to create a unique shopping experience by combining diverse shopping attractions within the same site, helping to minimise the time and expense usually spent traveling between different places to shop, and also providing a high level of convenience through the provision of extensive on-site parking facilities. 

The project envisages the excavation and construction of an underground car park for 335 parking spaces. The proposed car park will interconnect with the supermarket, shopping complex and street level parking area in order to provide convenience to the end-user.

Extensive parking facilities will also be provided at street level. Combining both the underground and street level parking provision, the project promises 846 parking spaces. A small chapel at the southern boundary and a security guard's room at the exit onto Pantar Road will also be constructed.

The project also envisages the change of use of the existing factories to a 3000m2 supermarket and the construction of an extension to house retail outlets, offices, gym and a staff canteen.

It also envisages the change of use of the existing warehouse building to class 4 retail outlets. According to the PDS the retail area will house international well-known clothing and fashion brands.

A Retail Impact Assessment is to be carried out to evaluate the proposed development's likely impact on the vitality and viability of established town and centres.