Marks and Spencer support new 'Hooters' in Bristol

[JessinAvalon]

Dear all
This is my first post on here so I hope I am doing this right!

I live in Bristol and, last week, 'Hooters' was granted a licence to open in the city centre. The site is virtually opposite 3 apartment blocks, the lower floors of which are social housing and children are living in them.

What's most disappointing is that Marks and Spencer are leasing the site to 'Hooters'. They have been e-mailed by many concerned people to ask if they will reconsider leasing the building but they have just replied saying it is a "commercial decision" (as if that makes it ok!). In Sheffield, a 'Hooters' didn't even make it to application stage because the developer (Ask Pizza) realised that it would be better not to be associated with a company like 'Hooters'.

Marks and Spencer don't seem that concerned, however. Although they have signed up to the "Let Girls Be Girls" Mumsnet campaign they are not concerned about a company which sells merchandise including babygros which say "Future Hooters Girl" and "Does my butt look big in this?"

I have written to Marks and Spencer telling them that I won't be shopping in their stores again. If you feel strongly about this, please e-mail:

[email protected].

'Hooters' tries to sell itself as a family friendly restaurant but it is anything but. The Hooters in Nottingham attracts mainly stag parties and football fans. Hooters Girls take part in bikini contests and iced wet t-shirt competitions (the t-shirts are put in the freezers before the girls wear them). 'Hooters' has links to Playboy magazine....I could go on.....

I think Marks and Spencer should be shamed for facilitating this company's expansion into Bristol. They are selling women and girls down the river by leasing to this company and all just to make a "quick buck".

Thanks everyone.

They've changed the standard response now so that's something.

Re: the uniform...I had read that they didn't have staff requirements but they had "uniform requirements"!

Lenin, I think they must know about this thread, (I think someone mentioned it in their e-mail), and now they've realised a stock reply isn't good enough. Still doesn't mean anything though

Oh, I agree with you. I'm just aware of our impotence here.

THat's just shocking Proles. There are so many holes in that paragraph!!
SInce when has feminism been about choice? Oh yeah, since the patriarchy took over and started directing the movement.

"right to use their natural female sex appeal to earn a living"

-- that is as weaselly as saying that coalminers have the right to work in conditions that produce emphysema.

Remind me - how many nominees for the Supreme Court have passed it up in favour of working at Hooters, again?

I have had the jealousy argument thrown at me time and time again. I find that argument so arrogant - like it's my dream in life to wear some scratchy orange hotpants and a tight top and to wait tables on some knuckle dragging 'Nuts' readers for a living.

I think I might just prefer my current job which pays more than the minimum wage and where I don't have to sign up to working in a hostile working environment as part of the contract of employment.

Got reply:

Thank you for your email to Stuart Rose about the sub-letting of our former Simply Food store at Bristol Harbourside. I am replying on his behalf.

We have agreed to sub-let the site to Gallus Restaurants. Gallus has received A3 business use permission from Bristol City Council for the property.

It has been reported that Gallus plan to open a branch of ?Hooters? in the property. I have noted your comments about Hooters, and your concern that the reputation of Marks and Spencer may be tainted by our arrangement with Gallus. I understand your concerns; however, we do not feel it is appropriate for us to comment on the Hooters brand and I'm afraid that we are unable to disclose the specifics of our store property deals. If contacted directly, Gallus Restaurants may be able to provide more information on their plans for the site.

I can see from your email that this is an issue you feel strongly about, and all feedback is taken very seriously. I am sorry you feel you have to boycott M&S as a result of this issue.

Thank you for taking the time to share your views with us.

Kind regards
Simon Hoskins
Executive Office
Your M&S Customer Service

The thing about Cindy Crawford is that she has a male counterpart doesn't she? Not saying the raunchy poses that are expected of Supermodels aren't sexist too, but it's really not the same is it?

reply from Stephen Williams:

Stephen WilliamsSeptember 14, 2010 at 8:21am
Re: Hooters in Bristol
Claire
I agree with you. I think this is a really bad decision by the council's licensing committee. It is their decision and I can't overturn it. I think all that can be done now is making sure Hooters keep to the conditions of their application agreement.
Best
Stephen

Hi Leningrad
It didn't mention Hooters at all. It just went on about an American style sports cafe. I have a photograph of the notice that was put up at the site. If you want me to email it to you, I can. It might give you some idea as to what to look out for.

I don't believe that Steven Williams can't do anything. He wasn't very sympathetic on the anonymity for rape defendants issue either.

I've just emailed Stuart Rose and will get working on a response to the standard email that will no doubt be on its way to me shortly.

The town I used to live in is on the Hooter's target list so I've emailed their licensing dept to ask if they've received an application from Gallus or Bubo. Will get my mum to keep an eye on licensing applications in the local paper. If anyone's got any more advice on how to keep tabs on licensing apps that would be brilliant.

How are you doing on getting any press on this (sorry have not read all 14 pages). I reeve your note about local press not being interested but seeing as MN gets mentioned in so many articles in the Times etc they might be interested in the M&S/let girls be girls campaign issue. Have you tried tweeting any journalists? I've found Twitter to sometimes be a good way of getting through to them in the past (although science journalists not general). Presumably any journalists who have written MN based stories in the past might have an interest.

'read' not 'reeve"

I started a thread on Babycentre on this issue - thoroughly depressing all round. Lots of "women choose to work there" and "just don't go if you don't like it" and "if I took my baby he'd love it because he loves boobs!". I was also told to 'relax' - perpetuating the idea that any woman who has a problem with this kind of thing is uptight and getting her (big, ugly) knickers in a twist about nothing.

humph.

Julie Bindel has expressed an interest but I'm not sure what's happening with the story. I'm not on Twitter but I think others have been 'tweeting' about it. Any suggestions of how to get it into the press would be helpful. Again, we have explored some options (am reluctant to say too much on here - forums have eyes!).

The local press just love a chance to feminist bash, even though it was the police who were the main objectors and those who live in the apartments opposite the site have also complained. If you complain, you are jealous or a NIMBY according to the Evening Post!

Mairimc - that's really depressing! It's really does feel like an uphill battle when those are being exploited and objectified (i.e. women) see it as just a laugh. It shows how much the rhetoric has worked on people in my opinion.

Reply from Sue O'Donnell (lib dem councillor)

Re: Hooters in Bristol
Claire - Hello !
Not an expert, as I don't sit on Licensing, but basically, I think the only real option available is for the Police to appeal the decision. Part of the problem, I have been told, is the fact that Gallus applied for a licence, and it was not apparent that this was for Hooters, until after the date for public forum submission, which can happen under the current legislation. This meant that none of the representation could have been considered when reviewing the licence application. Seems to me that there may be some issues with current licensing legislation, but, as I said, I am not an expert, and have fed my concerns about this back to the Chair of the committee. Am also waiting for a callback from my local superintendent to find out if she knows what, if anything, the Police are planning to do. Hope this helps !!!!

What about Bidisha at the Guardian?