Bathers still struggle to find space despite removal of main kiosk operator

One of the main kiosk operators at Għadira bay has been stopped from setting up sunbeds on the crowded beach after failing to follow regulations. The beach management programme rolled out in June allocated equal space for the public and lido operators, after years of complaints by swimmers. Following a number of meetings, the Land Department withdrew the concession of a kiosk owner as he would not abide by the new rules, a Malta Tourism Authority spokesman said. Despite the large area made free by the removal of this operator in the centre, bathers continue to have difficulty finding free space, complaining that the two beaches at the edges remain crowded. “The situation is getting worse year by year. On weekends, it’s practically impossible to find a spot to set up your own umbrella,” said Simon Borg, who has been frequenting Għadira for the past 50 years. Beach management rules came into force six years ago, when operators were allowed to set down a limited number of sunbeds even if they were not rented out. A Tourism Ministry spokesman said the MTA had no plans to amend the rules. Last year, a petition requesting the Tourism Ministry to remove unrented deckchairs from the...