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.

I see. And if Hooters was categorised as an adult bar then they wouldnt sneak the licences so easily.

I still dont believe that Hooters is the devil club some here are making out, but this is an impressive mobilisation of MN. Good luck!

Thanks CCPCCP.

I have recruited my Mum, sister, SIL and one friend into the campaign and they are all big spenders at M&S but are now boycotting it.

Can I just ask a couple of quick sort-of-legal questions?

1. Is the agreement between M&S and Gallus already signed, do we know?
2. If so, does that mean that there actually isn't anything that M&S can do, as they are legally bound by contract?

If this is the case then are our protests at/to M&S actually in vain?

Not sure BIWI, but if it's a normal rental agreement then surely they can give notice?

Hi BIWI
I asked those questions to M&S but they wouldn't comment. They have, however, said to others that the lease agreement is "completed & concluded".

And if the lease is signed, they could still pull out. They would just incur a financial penalty.

What they have to judge is whether the loss in business and damage to their reputation that will arise from their effective endorsement of Hooters is worth more or less than a one off financial penalty.

The Hooters in Birmingham closed within 6 months apparently. If the one in Bristol goes the same way, M&S will be finding a new business to take on the site soon anyway (fingers crossed).

Even if this campaign with M&S is not successful, it has at least shown that they don't feel bound by the Let Girls Be Girls campaign. Companies who sign up to it in future should be held accountable IMO if they ditch the principles of the campaign whenever it suits in the short term.

If it is the case that M&S have already signed, they can do the following things:

1. find out if there is any way at all they can get out of it (and give campaigners access to any relevant legal files so we know they are telling the truth if they say they can't)
2. admit they were wrong and promise to not let sites to Hooters in future

I would not be boycotting them forever on the basis of one screw-up which they regretted and committed themselves to not repeating. However, they haven't said any of this - they're just repeating 'it was a commercial decision blah blah'.

Well think I have had my last reply from m+s they have still not answered any questions but say they have nothing further to say.

Even if they overturn the decision would I shop there again? I don't know I think they have quite clearly shown their ethical standards only apply when it suits them commercially or if they risk bad publicity.

If they genuinely cannot get out of the lease the only way I will shop with then again is if they offer a full and frank apology. Continually repeating "commercial decision" just isn't good enough.

Oh, quite agree about always being worth complaining/speaking up, I just wondered how much their hands were tied, which could mean focussing on them would be in vain, IYSWIM

I will do a tot up tomorrow of the amounts people have posted so far.

I agree that, if it had been a genuine mistake, a swift apology and something to make amends would have been appreciated. To keep repeating the mantra of "it's a commercial decision" smacks of arrogance and an attitude of dismissal towards those who have taken the trouble to write/e-mail in.

I would have had far more respect for them if they'd had said "sorry" at an early stage.

Someone has posted on the UK No to Hooters group on Facebook that they have recorded something for 5Live this evening so it will be being discussed on there as well.

And the Bristol Evening Post seem to be embarrassed at using the story for some 'feminist bashing' lately and thus missing an angle that 2 nationals ran with so they are now running the M&S angle tomorrow.

I have heard that the M&S in Broadmead has stepped up security following the articles. What on earth do they think we're going to do?

One of my friends has pointed out that the troublemakers will be easy to spot: they will be "fat, ugly, angry lesbians with shaved heads wearing dungarees made of hessian."

And another of my friends has said that they will need less security because they will have fewer people shopping in the store now!

Oh my God just want I want to see when out with my two young sons and their father. Have M&S and Bristol Council gone mad? Last time I checked women had the vote, contribute more to the economy and make up 50% of the demographic. What pot bellied snivel came up with this one?

I work in an organisation of 10K, most of which is female. I'm also in a senior comms role. By the time I've finished our Exec will be in no doubt about what box should be ticked.

I would have spent £50 online in M&S this weekend, which I have not because of this.

Jess if you are keeping track I used to spend a lot there as I bought clothes for us plus presents for (awkward!) people so I would guess about £600 a year. It may not sound much to the shop but add it all up and it is a big loss

Wow...You are all quite jealous arnt you that none of you 'mums' would ever get the chance to work in a place like this. If any of you knew anything about it or did a bit of research you will see that the outlet employs males too that work in cleaning/managment/kitchen etc. I dont think a multi million pound company will be worried about losing a few pounds through you mindless lot because theyll make that up when they lease there outlet to Hooters.

Welcome to Mumsnet, Mike. I hope you'll be made to feel very welcome here.

Must try harder. 3/10

Wow...You are all quite jealous aren't you ? -that- None of you 'mums' would ever get the chance to work in a place like this. If any of you knew anything about it or did a bit of research you will see that the outlet employs males too -that- who work in cleaning/management/kitchen etc. I don't think a multi million pound company will be worried about losing a few pounds through you mindless lot because they'll make that up when they lease -there- their outlet to Hooters.

sorry, that was probably inappropriately snarky.

yes it was a bit mean Sanfair, after all, we can tell he's thick from the content of his post, so there was really no need to draw attention to the spelling as well.