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.

The response that Posie Parker got is a thinly veiled "fuck off, we don't care" mixed with a head-patting "there there, don't worry your pretty little head". And M&S should be called on that, because it's simply not acceptable. Anyone who's a shareholder going to the next AGM? Anyone who isn't a shareholder can become one for about four quid.

What M&S are relying in a chain of sub-lets diluting their responsibility. That may clear them legally, but not in public opinion. And they should be held to the fire for it. The brands "M&S" and "Hooters" need to be inextricably linked (like "Doctor Pepper" and "hardco\e porn") so that anyone who objects to the one objects to the other. Mumsnet's campaigning on Doctor Pepper stripped an advertising agency of the entire Coke account within 72 hours; the same power should be used to hold M&S to account.

This is really bothering me. I like M&S clothes, they are one of the few UK retailers that do reliable, simple, online delivery overseas. Bother.

Never mind. I'm sure that I can find somewhere else to go clothes shopping. No more M&S deliveries for me.

Is there any way this can be tagged onto the let girls be girls campaign since it has the "future hooters girl" rubbish?

let girls be girls has picked up a lot of steam and M&S may be more likely to listen if this is included in it?

Dear George,

I feel fobbed off by your response and truly hope your attitude on this issue is not reflective of your attitudes when sourcing your goods abroad, this once removed lack of responsibility may see your suppliers using sweat shops. I am pretty sure this would actually be the responsibility and reputation of your brand. When you joined the Mumsnet campaign I was certain that this was a small victory for both the campaign and Mumsnet and now feel it?s just a little PR that is quite meaningless to M&S. Afterall no point agreeing not to reduce our daughters to sexual objects and then providing an outlet where that is the main goal of the women that work there.

I do hope you stop supporting and endorsing this type of activity and return to a brand that I can trust.

Kind Regards

PosieParker

Wow, I never hear of hooters before thank god. I think I can live without them here in Worcester but I do like to travel to bristol for shopping quite often so too will add my support.

FB group No to Hooters in the UK (not M&S targetted).

"reliable, simple, online delivery overseas"

Lands End?

Hi PosieParker - the police objected because the site is in a cumulative impact zone. The default position in a CIZ is not to grant a licence unless the applicant can demonstrate that it will be a wholesome addition to an area.

The police had strong objections on the basis of crime and disorder. They felt that it would have a big impact on their resources.

The licensing committee ignored the objections because they felt that Hooters would offer "something different" to Bristol....

Read into that what you will....

I have put in an FOI request for the area around Hooters in Nottingham. It will be interesting to see what comes up. I have already found some interesting stuff online about the impact on police resources in Nottingham which I have given to the council.

The deal may have already been done - i.e. the lease may have been signed.

Which means that M&S will not be able to do anything about it.

But a strong campaign against them could help prevent subsequent openings in other locations - by discouraging landlords from granting leases in the other locations.

Can anyone tell us if it is standard practice for retail/restaurant outlets to be refurbishing and hiring staff before a licence has been granted?

The "wholesome" stuff fucks me off. Reminds me of Sam Fox on Coome Dine With Me saying that page 3 is a British institution and just a bit of family fun..see the news and a girl with a nice pair of boobies!

URGH

Jess

Do you know the planning application # - I tried to look for it on here but I wasn' sure which week to look in.

It would be interesting to see exactly what the planning decision is and any conditions of planning. You can all be on the look out for any breaches of planning permission.

Oh it was the alcohol licensing meeting the other week.

Just found this.

oh licensing - will finding the britol one give me an idea of what to search for with Birmingham?

The applications and Notices of Hearing may be viewed at the Licensing Office, Princess House, Princess Street, Bedminster.

Look like the meeting minutes etc are not on line.

I think there are 2 things which can be monitored for other towns:

Change of planning permission into a restaurant - A3 I think it is?

But Hooters may go into premises which already have that planning category - or landlords will often apply for different planning categories to widen the appeal of their premises.

So I guess it is the licensing (for alcohol) applications which need to be monitored - as new licencees are required for new ventures.

However I think it highly likely that subsequent applications will not be in the name of Gallus.

Yes tabouleh - this is what I was thinking - we can search for Gallus but that doesn't really help

I have eaten at several Hooters bars in Texas. The food is not good. It's a bit like Frankie and Bennys tbh.

In fact, if it were not that the waitresses are half the average size of an F&Bs waitress (round here anyway) it'd be quite easy to not realise you were in Hooters. Think Hard Rock Cafe meets McDonalds in terms of food and ambience.

What was different though was a very glassy smiles of the waitresses that dropped immediately they had finished speaking to you. Clientele was 90% male.

It is normal btw for places to be outfitted prior to licensing - if the planning has been granted the license is pretty much a foregone conclusion providing the licensee has a good reputation.

I would concentrate your efforts on organising embarassathons if I were you. Placards, photos and chanting is good. Ideally negotiate to rent 1 metre square of the awning of a shop opposite and place a CCTV camera there. Then publish the results.

Thanks WMMC - 'tis easy to think that something foul must be afoot but suspected it might be normal.

Bristol Evening Post has comments here....here

Seriously, ask the folks opposite if they would mind a camera putting up 'for the prevention of antisocial behaviour' and stream it live. Obviously put a big placard up telling would be users of Hooters that they may be captured.....they'll love that

sian's blog Bristol Feminist network leader

Jess can you email me - have some info that might help with the campaign don't want to reveal on board.

Will put my email address in the next message and get it deleted later. (although it is a MN specific one)