Editorial: No thank you for the music

As far as cities of comparable size go, Valletta ticks many boxes.
Its maritime location, its famed architecture, celebrated history and cultural roots certainly qualify it as a Maltese jewel. Valletta is recognised and celebrated internationally and is rightly a source of intense pride for all Maltese.
But all is not well in the city.
Many residents feel that it is once again under siege, this time not by a foreign army but by a home-grown ‘hospitality’ sector pursuing a particular business model without due consideration for other ‘stakeholders’. 
The issue at hand is not the operations of restaurants or even the bars but, rather, the insistence that venues be allowed to play music outdoors until 1am instead of 11pm. Residents have angrily argued that they were not consulted on loosening this rule.
They are rightfully worried about the quality of their lives, specifically their need for undisturbed sleep. They are also justifiably concerned that Valletta could become another Paceville or Buġibba, with the many downsides which continue throughout the night.

The fact Tourism Minister Clayton Bartolo supports the music extension and promises that “he will not tolerate” Valletta...