Hospitality establishments need guidance

The correspondence related the issue of outside tables and chairs seems to be very unproductive and with little point since the writers seem to be poles apart instead of working together. On the one hand we have exasperated business operator(s) trying to make a living and perhaps breaking the law to do so and public bodies upholding unwieldy rules and regulations, (whoever heard it takes three permits to put a chair outside a bar or restaurant?). I have a financial interest in a seaside lounge bar and I am about to apply for outside seating - Reuben Sciberras' letter (January 10) regarding a specific case was most helpful and informative. Since we are supposed to be a "Smart Island", I hope this and other related information will become available on the MTA website as soon as possible.

The MTA could perhaps prevent a good deal of trauma on behalf of hospitality establishment owners, not to mention the costs in bringing court proceedings and using up police time by producing guidance notes for licence applications, much like the very good one already there related to development of tourist establishment accommodation. These guidance notes need to include how long bars may open in specific localities and what the law is relating to music and live entertainment and what the penalties are if the law is broken. Written large in these guidance notes should be the fact that an application does not give businesses the right to carry out the activity applied for until a permit is issued.

Also there should be a published timescale for processing of applications. It may be in the public interest for the judiciary to ask prosecutors to determine if defendants have been given this information and if not, throw the action out of court and continue to do so until this information is served to defendants and it can then be easily proved there was intent to break the law.

Another component for a successful way forward would be for local authorities to get involved in this process. Applications could be accepted on one form at local council offices and then the council would circulate the paperwork to all of the various authorities, including their own professionals such as local architects and if appropriate issue one permit, all within a reasonable period of time. This should help the business owners to concentrate on what they are good at - keeping their clients and customers satisfied and the government happy that EU directives are being upheld. I for one would not be averse to paying additional fees to the local authority to see this happen since I want the business I have invested in to flourish in these difficult times and have no desire to break the law, even unintentionally. The EU have directives in place for government and other organisations to publish Service Charters. These declarations include information about timescales and what to do if there is a dispute. It would be interesting to hear from Parliament what progress there has been made in the creation of these charters or kite-marks.

Finally I have asked the MTA via e-mail for clarification on how long the establishment I have invested in may remain open to the public. After a long delay of some weeks this was sent to the "person who knows" and despite e-mail reminders, several months later I do not have the information. Anyone help me out in order that we may legally develop our business?