Sliema’s Fortizza to get German Kraft microbrewery

The Sliema Point Battey, better known as Il-Fortizza, will be restored and a new microbrewery introduced within the historic building, while existing catering facilities will be upgraded.

The Planning Authority has approved a series of interventions aimed at restoring original features, removing later accretions and adapting underused areas of the Grade 1 scheduled monument.

The approved project, submitted by Andreas Bollen on behalf of German Kraft, involves the restoration of internal and external spaces of the fort, including the removal of recent structures to recover original casemates which once housed Royal Marine Light (RML) guns.

German Kraft is an independent, UK-based craft beer company. The business operates multi-vendor community taprooms inside commercial food markets, including locations in London (Mayfair and Elephant & Castle) and Vienna

The works will also include alterations at basement level, the reinstatement of former shell stores, the removal of inappropriate additions, improvements to accessibility through new lifts, and the rehabilitation of parts of the original ditch area.

One of the main changes involves the installation of a microbrewery within the ditch along Tower Road. The Planning Authority’s case officer said the new facility would be considered ancillary to the existing catering establishment operating from the fort and would not create additional parking requirements.

The microbrewery will have a lightweight, reversible glazed roof. The brewery equipment would include fermentation tanks, pumps and service units. These will be placed on supports to avoid contact with the historic fabric.

The proposal effectively changes part of the basement area, previously used as a dining space, into a production and storage area linked to the brewery, including staff facilities and sanitary amenities.

The existing restaurant use at il-Fortizza will remain, with the approved premises continuing to operate as a catering establishment for the preparation and sale of food and drink for consumption on site.

The project also includes changes to outdoor catering areas. The case officer noted that previous proposals for additional seating areas closer to the promenade had been refused because of their impact on the setting of the historic fortification.

However, the latest plans removed tables and chairs previously proposed adjacent to the promenade and did not include permanent canopies. The case officer concluded that the proposed outdoor catering arrangements were acceptable, given that parts of the surrounding area had already been approved for restaurant use and shading would be limited to umbrellas.

The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage initially raised concerns about some interventions, particularly new openings and alterations to original fabric, but eventually raised no objection after revised plans and a works method statement were submitted.

The authority said the project would contribute towards the “rehabilitation and long-term safeguarding” of the scheduled fortification by removing unsympathetic additions, reinstating historic elements and giving underused spaces a viable new function.

The permit includes conditions requiring monitoring by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage and a €7,000 bank guarantee to ensure that restoration works are carried out according to the approved method statement.

A separate €5,000 guarantee was also imposed to ensure the removal of existing illegalities on site, including low walls with glass railings and an outbuilding.

Il-Fortizza, constructed during the British period as Sliema Point Battery, is recognised by the Planning Authority as a monument of high historical and architectural value reflecting Malta’s strategic military importance. The site has hosted a restaurant for decades, with previous permits allowing alterations and dining areas within parts of the complex.

The approved project follows a parallel application concerning restoration of the external fabric of the fortification.