[WATCH] Monti relocation a ‘welcome change’ say hawkers, shoppers

Monti hawkers and shoppers have their say on the proposed stall design and relocation • Video by Ray Attard

Contrary to the deluge of criticism by stakeholders and online commentators, participants in a MaltaToday vox pop in Valletta expressed optimism about the upcoming relocation of the monti, or Valletta flea market, from Merchants Street to Ordinance Street. 

Market hawkers and shoppers who spoke to MaltaToday almost unanimously agreed that the new location for the monti stalls, positioned between the new parliament building and the open air theatre, was a “welcome change”, and that the controversial stalls, though perhaps not aesthetically pleasing, were very sturdy and promised to be more efficient.

Many of the hawkers were hostile to the questions and refused to express their opinion about the new location of the stalls and the design of the stalls themselves, for various reasons.

Both monti vendors and casual shoppers were asked for their opinions on the matter, with vendors agreeing that the move to the road between Pjazza Teatru Rjal and the new parliament building would give a much-needed boost to their sales. 

“Visitors only come here if they are specifically looking for the open air market. Moving the stalls to such a central area will ensure that more people will pass by the stalls,” one of the vendors said.

Hawkers had been moved from their original position in the area of Merchants Street which links St John Street to Old Theatre Street, and the section in Old Theatre Street due to embellishment projects that are still underway. The market stalls had been moved further down Merchants Street to the stretch linking Old Theatre Street to Archbishop Street, including the square in front of the covered market (Is-Suq tal-Belt).

Street hawkers had immediately expressed disagreement with this decision, claiming that the area was too small, and that the previous government had placed their livelihoods at stake when it made this decision.

Shoppers who spoke to MaltaToday were happy to hear about the stalls moving closer to the bus terminus, since this would make shopping more practical, particularly in the event of “unpredictable” weather. 

Only one respondent was critical of the new plans, as he felt that a market should not be given pride of place next to such a “magnificent structure” as Renzo Piano’s parliament building.

The news that the monti would move to Ordinance Street and possibly spill over to the square in front of the new parliament building caused widespread outrage, with many arguing that the monti stalls would in no way fit the elegant new entrance to the city that was designed by world-renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano, and which cost the country an estimated €45 million.

Piano’s lead architect, Antonio Belvedere, spoke out about the decision and said that placing the stalls between the parliament building and Pjazza Teatru Rjal was something like “making a cake, then spitting on it.”

The European Walled Towns group also criticised the move, describing it as “an insult” to the history and culture of the capital city. In a statement to the media, the group described Piano’s project as a “remarkable site”. 

“A striking entrance to a city, a World Heritage site, a city that will be the European Capital of Culture in 2018, will be ruined by this move and the shabby-looking market stalls,” they added.

The news of the relocation was not greeted too kindly by the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) either, who claimed that relocating the monti to such a central location may have an adverse effect on tourism. 

“MHRA stresses that it is the plan to place the market at the main entrance of the Capital City, next to two important landmarks, and not just the design of the stalls which is taking us away from our quality vision,” the association said.

Vox pop participats were also asked to comment on another sticking point in the whole affair: the new proposed market stalls – made of metal and painted wood featuring the eight-pointed cross – which have since been recalled by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat in the wake of a public backlash. While one of the respondents labelled the design of the stalls as “unstylish”, most vendors found the much-maligned new stalls to be sturdy and efficient, and didn’t appear too fussed about their aesthetic appearance. 

While the Prime Minister stepped in to ensure that the designs of the stalls is changed, he insisted on the new location, claiming that a monti between the new parliament building and the open air theatre would “instill life in the city”.

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil however tweeted that for him “culture always wins over mediocrity. Therefore, under (sic) my watch, Valletta Monti will not stay where it’s an eyesore to the Renzo Piano project”.

Others, among them Valletta mayor Alexiei Dingli and Valletta 2018 Foundation chairman Jason Micallef, also expressed dismay at the plans, with Dingli observing that the new location of the monti would create noise pollution for residents, while also taking up precious parking places, with Micallef calling on the government to “respect the area between the new Parliament and Pjazza Teatru Rjal”.