Paceville food outlets question police move

A number of Paceville food outlet owners have expressed anger after being forced by police to close at 4 a.m. at the weekend, saying they should not be treated in the same way as entertainment establishments.

Food outlet owners who called The Times said they did not feel they should be treated in the same way as nightclubs and other entertainment spots.

"We don`t serve alcohol. After a night out, one would want to eat something in order to make up for the alcohol he/she would have consumed.

"By closing at 4 a.m., patrons are left without the choice of having something to eat and this doesn`t make sense because most people drive home and need to eat before!" one food outlet owner said.

Patrons said they saw police parading the streets of Paceville at 4 a.m., making sure entertainment spots were closing down according to law.

Xarabank`s team members were filming police closing down the outlets, prompting some patrons to question if their presence made the police take action.

When asked if Xarabank`s crew had any influence on the police operation, Superintendent Patrick Spiteri said: "The presence of Xarabank staff did not have any effect on the way we normally operate. We acted according to law, and it is normal for us to take such action."

Philip Fenech, president of the GRTU`s hospitality and leisure division, said he had received reports that there were some establishments that were simply asked by police to switch off their music while others were asked to close down.

"The law stipulates that licensed establishments must switch off their music at 4 a.m., but not close down, leaving establishments the freedom to continue serving alcohol or food after 4 a.m.

"For some reason, some food outlets were asked to stop serving clients and had police standing outside their doors."

One food outlet owner said: "My outlet doesn`t create noise, so what`s the problem? During the week business is dry and the weekend makes up for it. If I`m forced to close at 4 a.m. during the weekend, it`s not even worth operating my business any longer."

At one time, employees of a certain outlet were seen giving pizzas away to passers-by while police watched.

"Instead of throwing away the food, we`re giving it away for free," an employee said.