Plans to build a Hooters in Liverpool has faced a stumbling block after receiving a rejection from the council.
The American chain is popularly known for serving beer and bar food while its female employees wear revealing clothing. Plans to build a restaurant in the city's New Zealand House has caused a split in opinion among the city's seniors.
Mayor Joanne Anderson said: "Hooters has an infamous sexually objectifying and misogynistic environment". Despite this, the chain was granted a licence to operate and work in the site, however, it has now hit an obstacle.
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Liverpool Council's planning department has rejected plans for the signs that would be put up at the venue. The application hoped to be granted permission to display two illuminated signs, a fixed banner, and a new flag outside the restaurant, the Liverpool Echo reports.
City centre councillor Nick Small claimed the signs would "belong more in Amsterdam's Red Light District than Liverpool's oldest conservation area." He added: "The proposed signage, banner and flag is bright, gaudy and not within keeping of the character of the area."
A report from Liverpool Council said: "By virtue of size, design and siting, the proposed illuminated vertical signs, banner sign and flag would fail to preserve the character and appearance of the application building and Castle Street Conservation Area and the setting of adjacent listed buildings."
However, the report reassured that the council wishes to work with the applicant in a "positive and proactive manner in seeking solutions to any problems arising during the course of the application."
Currently, Hooters has one other UK site in Nottingham and carried out a recruitment drive in Liverpool throughout the summer.
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