Hooters has been hit by official council action on the on the day it's latest branch opened in Liverpool.
The controversial restaurant chain has been told to remove signs it has put up at its new premises in the city. It comes after Hooters was given permission to open another venue in Salford Quays despite strong opposition.
Yesterday (Monday) it emerged Liverpool City Council has written to the US business, which has just opened its second UK site on Water Street in Liverpool city centre. Hooters recently opened in the New Zealand House building despite dividing opinion, with an official opening taking place today, the Liverpool Echo reports.
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The chain has been criticised by Liverpool's major Joanne Anderson who said: "Hooters has an infamous sexually objectifying and misogynistic environment."
But now Hooters is facing action involving its large neon signs which have been put up on the side of New Zealand House. A complaint was made by city centre councillor Nick Small, who alleged that the signs had been put up without the appropriate planning permission from the city council.
Coun Small tweeted an image of the sign and stated: "I have reported this signage to Liverpool Council planning enforcement, as I do not believe Hooters has planning permission or listed building consent for this. I've also asked if there is permission for the road/pavement closure. Not a great start."
The Echo later confirmed with Liverpool City Council that the signage was erected without the correct permissions. A spokesperson confirmed that Hooters had applied for the permission but that it was rejected. The signs were then put up anyway, according to the Echo.
The council has now written to Hooters asking them to take the sign down, but the business has appealed the planning permission refusal.
A spokesperson for Liverpool City Council said: “Our planning department received an application on behalf of Hooters to display various signage on the building, but this was refused last month on the grounds that the signs would fail to preserve the character and appearance of the building and the Castle Street Conservation Area.
"The council were informed over the weekend that a sign has now been erected and the applicants have been written to requesting its removal. However, as the refusal of advertisement consent has been appealed, the planning department is awaiting the outcome of the appeal process before any further enforcement steps can be taken. The appeal will be determined by the Planning Inspectorate in due course.”
In June the M.E.N. reported how plans were approved for a Hooters restaurant and bar at Salford Quays. The decision was made despite fierce local opposition, including from both the Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
Salford and Eccles MP Rebecca Long-Bailey, the Women's Equality Party, and Barbara Keeley, MP for Worsely and Eccles South, were also vehemently opposed to the opening of the American chain's outlet.
There were a total of 91 objections to the application, made in the name of Jullian Mills who has run the Nottingham Hooters for the last 21 years. The restaurant and bar, at 3 Capital Quay, Trafford Road, will open from 9am to 11.30pm seven days a week, after Mr Mills' legal team announced the application had been scaled back from a 1am closing time.
Following events in Liverpool, Hooters has been approached for a response.
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