'Crazy': Paceville shops told they can't reopen until they hire an architect

Updated 1.20pm with BCA reply

Paceville shops in the area of the collapsed Tania Flats are being told they cannot reopen unless they engage an architect to certify their building is safe, and they are not happy about it.

They argue they should not be made to foot the bill, especially since they were forced to close by the authorities and they are not responsible for any construction wrongdoing.

Several businesses who spoke to Times of Malta argue the inspections should be paid by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA).

“It’s crazy that we need to pay this money to have it certified when none of us are responsible… it should be the BCA which opens [the properties] again, not private architects,” said one business owner.

Another said: “Why should I get my architect to certify the building is safe? If anything, the BCA should”.

Traders spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they feared reopening their businesses could be delayed by the authorities.

They also say they have been provided with no official paperwork regarding the closures and subsequent works, which they worry could hamper insurance claims for lost business, adding they had not been provided with information from the authority about recovering lost revenue.

In a reply to questions, the BCA said the requirement is “in line with standard procedure” but did not respond to questions as to why the cost had to be incurred by third parties and would not give details on why the shops in question were forced to close.

It also did not say whether it would provide shop owners with documentation about the closures.

Shops closed down after collapse

The shops were closed down after the Tania Flats block came crashing down on June 11.

Nobody was injured in what could have been one of the deadliest in history, as residents were evacuated just hours before the apartment block gave in.

Several businesses close to the collapsed site, including a hotel, grocery store, bar, pharmacy and healthcare providers, were closed when the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) began work in the area.

Some shop owners said they turned up to work to find their premises cordoned off with police tape and BCA officials on site telling them they could not return to work until investigations and shoring-up activities were completed.

But despite BCA inspections in the area having been completed, some business owners say they are not being allowed to reenter their premises to resume commercial activities until they have employed an architect to sign off on its safety.

Some businesses in the area have reopened, while others remain closed.

Architects unwilling to certify

Shop owners even reported difficulty finding architects willing to carry out the inspections, further delaying their return to work.

They said architects had told them they were not willing to certify the safety of buildings in an area where demolition and intervention works had been carried out by others not working under their supervision.

Several architects confirmed their reluctance to Times of Malta, saying they would not feel comfortable certifying buildings in the area.

While some businesses said they recently managed to find architects willing to inspect the property, they have balked at having to fork out hundreds, in some cases thousands, of euros for the works.

Architects Times of Malta spoke to estimated that such inspections could be as high as €10,000 for some buildings in the area.

BCA: Process is practical and being followed

BCA CEO Roderick Bonnici told Times of Malta that the regulator has not received any indication that business owners are struggling to find architects to certify buildings. 

"On the contrary, a number of establishments were issued clearances yesterday, the 26th of June 2025, and have resumed operations, which clearly demonstrates that the process is both practical and being actively followed," Bonnici said in a statement. 

The BCA CEO said that business owners were being told to certify their buildings to give them peace of mind and could then "seek remedies for compensation of costs incurred."