Bay Street (entertainment complex)

Bay Street is a hotel and shopping/entertainment complex in St. Julian's, Malta.

Bay Street was constructed on November 25, 2000 as part of a Lm30million investment for the Paceville area. [cite news|url=http://business-line.com/business-weekly/archives/320/editorial.html
title=Encouraging local investment|publisher=The Malta Business Weekly|date=December 7, 2000|accessdate=2007-02-06] It incorporates the largest shopping complex on the island, which is open seven days a week from 10am-10pm. Bay Street lies adjacent to St. Julian's and Paceville, Malta's main nightlife area, and overlooks St. George's Bay.

The complex incorporates approximately 65 retail outlets, including international brand-name shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, a casino, a hotel, an arcade, an artisan centre and a children's ball park. The complex also includes a number of one-bedroom apartments.Bay Street was constructed by the local company Bronville, and its aspect was designed by British firm BDG McCol (who also designed the Millennium Dome in London). The complex cost Lm22million, and currently employs approximately 500 staff. [cite news|last=Sansone|first=Kurt|url=http://www.business-line.com/business-weekly/archives/250/02.html
title=Bay street to employ 500 people|publisher=The Malta Business Weekly|date=August 5, 1999|accessdate=2007-02-06]

In the past Bay Street had an education-themed attraction, the Discovery Centre. Its original purpose was to organise interactive science exhibitions every three months. The Centre closed at the end of July 2001 due to poor visitor numbers, and has been replaced by a household store. [cite news|last=Sansone|first=Kurt|url=http://www.businesstoday.com.mt/2001/0711/local5.html
title=Discovery Centre to be converted into household department store|publisher=The Malta Business and Financial Times|date=July 11, 2001|accessdate=2007-02-06]

Events

Bay Street has been host to a number of competitions and charity events, mainly orientated for families and tourists.

*On January 20, 2007, the Archbishop of Malta Paul Cremona, then Archbishop-elect, visited Bay Street to meet and talk with the island's youth. [cite news|url=http://www.di-ve.com/dive/portal/portal.jhtml?id=265650&pid=127
title=Newly elected Archbishop Mons. Paul Cremona OP to meet adoloscents and youth in Paceville|publisher=di-ve|date=January 19, 2007|accessdate=2007-02-06] He was shown around the complex before stopping for a snack and to discuss with teenagers their opinions and questions. The Christian band Footprints was also at the event, performing for the Archbishop and the guests.
*On April 10, 2006, the Miss International Best Model Malta 2006 competition was held at Bay Street. The contest featured 10 finalists competing for qualification to the Miss & Mr International Best Model World 2006 at Spain. [cite news|url=http://www.di-ve.com/dive/portal/portal.jhtml?id=226645&pid=127
title=Malta Indoor Rowing Championship|publisher=di-ve|date=April 11, 2006|accessdate=2007-02-06]
*The Malta Indoor Rowing Championship has been held annually at Bay Street since 2004. [cite news|url=http://www.concept2.co.uk/racing/result.php?race=malta2004
title=Malta Indoor Rowing Championship|publisher=Concept2 Rowing Machines|date=September 26, 2006|accessdate=2007-02-06] [cite news|url=http://www.l-orizzont.com/news.asp?newsitemid=31144
title=Jinkisru rekords Maltin fil-kampjonatiMalta Indoor Rowing f'Bay Street|publisher=l-orizzont|date=November 10, 2006|accessdate=2007-02-06]
*Each Christmas, Bay Street holds a number of themed activities and events at the complex. In 2006 Nicole Azzopardi, Malta's young representative at the Zecchino d'Oro, and the Italian travelling circus group Circo Bellucci performed at Bay Street. [cite news|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=43589
title= Christmas comes to Bay Street|publisher=The Malta Independent Online|date=December 17, 2006|accessdate=2007-02-06]

References

External links

* [http://www.baystreet.com.mt/ Official site for the Bay Street complex]