Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1260752
18.06.2020 9 INTERVIEW optimistic forward strides in a post-COVID world a few weeks ago, you had proposed ways in which the bar and nightclub industry could reignite while still abiding by measures meant to prevent the spread the virus. Now that the public health emergency has been lifted, bars and nightclubs have been given the green light to open. What is the feedback you have been receiving from the sector? We always knew that the leisure in- dustry - bars and clubs mostly - was not an easy one when it comes to adhering to protocols. But I was in fact quite im- pressed that, as evidenced during the inspections we've been carrying out, the majority of bars and clubs have abided by the coronavirus protection measures, in an industry which depends on social in- timacy, not social distancing. We found that the majority of outlets were com- pliant, and the few which weren't were reprimanded by the MTA and police. ere were also several others that had a system in place which wasn't foolproof when it came to the one or two hours when every business peaks - this resulted in customers impatiently choosing not to wait for their drinks to be served at their table, and instead going over to the bar, or clients moving tables together which were clearly marked as needing to stay separate. One major issue, which was encoun- tered by all in the sector, was that it is quite difficult to prevent people from au- tomatically going to the bar, which is the main attraction. So, it depends, to a cer- tain extent, on customers' willingness to adapt. We had foreseen this issue, which is why we have asked such businesses to lower their levels of music, to avoid hyp- ing up their customers. We've also asked that customers cooperate and carry their own responsibility. Another problem relates to the maxi- mum number of people which are cur- rently allowed to group together. Right now, the maximum remains 75, which makes it unsustainable for businesses which can host hundreds of people to operate. e Prime Minister last week said that Malta was no longer in an emergency situation, however certain people misunderstood this to mean that all restrictions have been wavered im- mediately. In effect, the Prime Minister did not imply this - our understanding is that the limit on mass events will be increased by the end of June. However, we are waiting further instructions in the coming days or weeks to clarify the sit- uation. Last weekend was also the best per- forming weekend bars, clubs and res- taurants since they reopened, and we ex- pect that promoters will be able to move greater crowds towards these venues as the leisure industry gains speed. Malta is known for its summer events. With the 75-person limit on public gatherings having been lifted, these can be organised, to an extent. Will we likely see a return of the island's annual summer events, or will private organisers face a challenge in terms of obtaining private sponsoring? We have yet to see whether very large mass events, involving thousands - such as music festivals - will be permitted or not. e indications are that they could be, but it's not certain yet. I am also aware that there are concerns from pri- vate organisers, who finance their events through private resources, that obtaining sponsorships might be difficult. Need- less to say, private sponsorship is a real issue, since many businesses are cutting down their costs. In the past years, there was much discussion about a masterplan for Paceville. Do you envisage that such plans will be put back in motion as the COVID-19 crisis abates, and will they have to be adapted to tackle the new post- coronavirus reality? At the moment a lot of big projects are in motion in Paceville. Many of them have reached a reasonably advanced stage of shell form, others have their de- velopment application in place but have not yet started, and a few more still have their applications pending before the Planning Authority. ese were all projects which were planned during the height of our eco- nomic boom, when we were seeing the optimum levels of tourism, and envisag- ing increases. Despite this, the majority of the projects are ongoing, and new ones have also been planned to com- mence. Very few have actually been put on hold, and those that were are mainly minor ones. It is consoling that some of the bigger projects will take a couple of years to fully complete, because hope- fully the industry will have recovered by then. In terms of a masterplan, discussions have already started - and these will be amplified - about how to manage the Paceville/St Julian's area better, build on its strengths and identify and tweak its shortcomings. is includes the pedes- trianisation of certain areas, organising delivery hours and refuse collection, cleansing, beefing up maintenance pro- grammes, improving street furniture, greening open spaces, adapting police patrols according to the immediate needs while clamping down on those who don't abide by the law, and provid- ing better signage and street lighting. Moreover, millions of euro are being invested in high quality edifices, by the private sector, to continue upgrading our tourism products. e lockdown period has been positive in the sense that many establishments, especially the bigger ones, have had the chance to do the long-postponed refur- bishments and alterations which they had been unable to do during the high periods of the previous years. And some of the smaller establishments have also done their upgrading, and have opened in the last few days, while others will be opening in the next weeks. You are also the chairperson for the Town-Centre Management Project. How is this progressing? We now find ourselves in the second year of the project. We are working with the Tourism Ministry, MTA, Foundation for Tourism Zones Development, the police, local councils and stakeholders to manage the Paceville/St Julian's area in its totality. In other words, on a daily ba- sis, we observe movements in the area, take stock of shortcomings and liaise with all those involved, through, for in- stance, regular meetings with the police on crime management, raising licensing standards and controlling irregularities hand in hand with the MTA's enforce- ment unit. We also put forward our observations on maintenance work to- gether with the government's cleansing department. An important aspect of our work is our cooperation with St Julian's local council to look out for the interests of residents, with a view towards mini- mising the inconvenience which such a vibrant area can cause. Some people think Paceville is all about nightlife. In fact, nightlife constitutes only 15% of services in the area, with the rest made up of bed content, gyms, lan- guage schools, casinos, diving services, retail in its diverse forms and a shopping mall selling various products, a yacht marina, cinemas, bowling, restaurants, health and wellbeing, numerous busi- ness towers and offices, and taxi services' headquarters. And as the area is expanding, our chal- lenges are also increasing. e area is be- coming more intense, but there are ex- citing times ahead for someone like me, who started out in the area many dec- ades ago, and saw Paceville develop from a humble beginning to the multitude of retail, goods and services offerings which such a relatively small area provides to the domestic and international client. I feel the whole community in the area is one big family, and together we've gone through daily challenges, living the high and lows throughout years. I had established BJs in the late 1970s, during which time there were only a handful of establishments. I saw the full gamut expand. Looking back, it's been a very exciting run. And that excitement remains as we enter into this phase of having higher buildings with penthouse apartments. When I walk through the streets of Paceville, in my role manag- ing the area, the energy I experience is unexplainable as I visualise its vibrance through the years and look forward to what is to come. On a daily basis, we observe movements in the area, take stock of shortcomings and liaise with all those involved, through, for instance, regular meetings with the police on crime management, raising licensing standards and controlling irregularities hand in hand with the MTA's enforcement unit