By Thursday afternoon, Times of Malta reported, the outdoor dining furniture outside the restaurant at the Centric Hotel on The Strand had disappeared. A van was parked on the site instead. The paving laid over the public land remained.
That remaining paving is the useful detail here. The furniture is the visible part of the occupation, and the easiest part to move. Restoring a site to what it was before is a different standard, and the authorities have already pointed in that direction.
According to the Lands Authority, Stivala had no title or permit to occupy the stretch of land. Its notice gave him 30 days to vacate the area and remove any structures or objects placed there.
This followed earlier action by the Planning Authority, which had ordered the removal of a large metal awning erected over the outdoor dining area. That structure drew anger from residents and NGOs, and Moviment Graffitti threatened direct action unless it was dismantled. The awning was then taken down, along with the tables and chairs, before the restaurant furniture returned days later. Photographs showed customers being served again on the extension.
Times of Malta also reported that Stivala applied for an encroachment concession after the illegal structures were installed. Whatever that application was meant to achieve, it did not prevent the Lands Authority from moving against the occupation now.
On Tuesday, 18 NGOs called on the authority to take immediate action to remove the furniture and other additions to the public space. The Planning Authority has previously said its enforcement notice will remain in force until the site is fully restored to its original state.
For now, the chairs are gone and the paving is not.
Sophia Borg 
Harvey Jr. 
Marcus Azzopardi