The Chalet

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Before the Second World War the Chalet was a very popular entertaining area for people young and old. The Chalet had then a staff of a cook, a pastry maker and about 14 waiters and handymen. Every Thursday there used to be Spot Dances with prizes given to the best dancers. During the weekend there used to have bands playing in both the top and bottom halls. The top bands in the country were use to perform at the Chalet. The dance halls were also hired out for weddings and other private functions.

World War II

In 1942 Malta got involved in the War and the Chalet like other public places had to be closed. In March 1942 the building was hit during an air raid and suffered substantial damage.

On Mar 2, 1942 the Chalet 0wner Mr K. Axisa wrote to the Governmet informing him of the damage and the danger that the whole building was in danger of collapse. On August 25 1942, the Governor of Malta, Lord Gort approved the sum of 100 Maltese pounds for repairs to damages sustained by the Chalet, Għar id-Dud Sliema. These provisional repairs were completed in November 1942.

After the surrender of Italy on September 8, 1943, Mr Axisa was making the necessary repairs to re-open the Chalet. These repairs cost Mr. Axisa the sum of Lm3,247 and were completed in August 1944. When all was completed, Mr Axisa sold his share of the Chalet and therefore it was re-opened under new management in July 1944.

As none of the repairs were done properly, and owing to the wind and waves which constantly batter the foundations, it did not take long for the damages to surface again. In July 1959, the Chalet was officially declared unsafe and the new owner Mr.Karmeno Schembri closed the building permanently.