Sliema Chalet’s concrete surface stripped away by Storm Harry

The damage caused to popular sites in Malta by Storm Harry continues to mount, as the gale-force winds stripped away large parts of the concrete surface of the former Sliema Chalet. 

The concrete, or what remains of it, near Għar id-Dud is all that remains of the original structure, built in 1926 as an entertainment venue. It was shut down in 1963 and has been left to deteriorate ever since. It faces directly east and is exposed to the sea on three sides. 

The surface has been damaged by storms and rebuilt several times in the past. It remains a popular spot for swimmers to leap into the sea and for visitors to take selfies, despite warnings to avoid doing so. Two men were seen taking selfies on the spot on Tuesday as the storm raged.

The storm exposed the brickwork of the former Chalet's platform. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli.

While Sliema mayor John Pillow confirmed the damage, he said the site was in its current state mainly because it had not been properly maintained. 

In 2022, the government published a call for proposals from prospective bidders to regenerate the site, asking investors for a minimum capital spend of €3.2 million. 

Asked whether the ferocity of this week’s storm had put paid to the idea of redevelopment, Pillow said he was not sure. 

The Chalet in its heyday.

“It would definitely have to be a very solid structure, but there are other places in Sliema such as Surfside that have stood the test of time." 

Now that the sea swell of the storm has died down, Pillow said he would be touring the town throughout Thursday to assess the damage. 

“Places like the area around Exiles have sustained a lot of damage,” he said. 

At the time of writing, Infrastructure Malta did not reply to questions whether the site would be assessed or sealed off. 

The Chalet was opened in 1926 and shut down in 1963.

The huge waves caused by Storm Harry’s gale-force winds on Tuesday wrought havoc across the country, especially in the south and east. Marsascala was arguably the hardest hit town.

A sizeable clean-up operation began on Wednesday, with teams of workers from the Cleansing and Maintenance Division and shop workers joined by residents who volunteered to lend a hand. 

Għar Lapsi in Siġġiewi was also pummeled, with the ramp leading down to the cave and the slipway being destroyed and washed away. 

The storm also stopped crossings between Malta, Gozo and Sicily, caused flight diversions or cancellations, tore down dozens of trees, and significantly damaged Malta's wastewater infrastructure. 

The government is urging local councils to report any damage caused by Storm Harry that requires urgent attention to avoid causing harm to residents.