The controversial new Hooters restaurant in Liverpool city centre could face prosecution over signs it has put up without planning permission.
Last month, the American chain finally opened its second UK venue on Water Street despite public outcry against the move. While the city’s licensing committee was happy to grant permission for the new venue to operate, the local authority’s planning body was not keen on two large neon orange signs to be placed outside New Zealand House.
As such, planning permission for those was rejected. However, this didn’t stop the business, who put the signs up anyway and have appealed Liverpool Council ’s decision.
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Now, the business has been warned it may face prosecution if it does not comply with the city council’s requests to take down the signs as they have been deemed unauthorised. Liverpool Council has already written to Hooters asking for the signs to be removed and according to an email seen by the ECHO, has now issued a second request that warns if action is not taken within 14 days, officials will “cause a prosecution to be instigated.”
The email added that the council will “take appropriate action in a timely manner,” in relation to the offending signs. Cllr Nick Small, who represents the city centre, was pleased to see a robust response from the authority.
He said: "These signs do not have planning permission and are unlawful. Hooters should take them down immediately, as the council have asked them to.
“I understand that they have appealed against the council's refusal of planning permission to the Planning Inspectorate. They are entitled to do that, but unless and until they are successful at any appeal, they should do the right thing and be better corporate citizens.
“I'm pleased the council is looking at all enforcement routes here." The issue over the signs are not the only feathers to be ruffled since the US chain opened its doors in November.
Flour Will Fly, which is located in Oriel Chambers off Water Street, has hit out at noise coming from an extractor at the back of New Zealand House. Paola Paulucci told the ECHO that it had been a “vile experience” and said Hooters had made “no effort to fit in with the community”.
Rachel Moss, Hooters Liverpool managing director, said the business had done nothing wrong. She told the ECHO previously: “The equipment is legally allowed to be there, we didn’t install it.
“It’s been there since 2015 and is a lawful, highly regulated piece of equipment. Because Oriel Chambers is a listed building, they have very thin windows.
“We have extremely high standards as a global brand and I had my architect go round to inspect during our initial processes.” The ECHO has contacted Hooters for comment on the signage.
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