Court clears demolition of Magic Kiosk in Sliema

A court yesterday declared that demolition works on what's left of the Magic Kiosk in Sliema can continue under the supervision of a court-nominated architect.

The demolition of the turquoise aluminium-clad kiosk started on January 9 after the restaurant's 30-year lease agreement expired and the owner ignored a number of eviction notices issued by the government.

After the place was pulled down, the dismantling was interrupted when a court upheld a request for a warrant of prohibitory injunction by owner Joe Pace, who wanted to stop the government from recycling aluminium taken from the kiosk.

Mr Pace said the aluminium belonged to him and the authorities had no right to dispose of the structure.

Yesterday, Mr Justice Goeffrey Valenzia decreed that the works can continue under the supervision of a court-appointed architect. The area has become a hazard in the meantime and an even bigger eyesore than it might have been before. Piles of debris now litter St Anne Square where the kiosk once stood.

The Ministry for Rural Affairs and Resources and the Parliamentary Secretary for Land expressed their satisfaction at the decision, saying that work will start on February 13.

They said they would make sure everything is done to avoid any further inconvenience for the public.