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Original poster

Marks and Spencer support new Hooters in Bristol, #2

406 replies

sethstarkaddersmum · 25/09/2010 18:39

I went to post on the first thread but it was full so here is a new one.

I'm reposting Jessinavalon's OP from 10th September since it explains what is going on, for anyone who is new to the issue:

'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.'

OP posts:
DavidStHubbins · 14/10/2010 23:30

Well, I make no appeal to authority. Make of that what you will.

Anyway, it looks like Bristol Hooters is open
niteglow.tumblr.com/post/1313103779/dreary-thursday-going-to-the-new-hooters-in

Sakura · 15/10/2010 02:05

And it looks like a right laugh Hmm

Seriously, what a depressing-looking night out...

Sakura · 15/10/2010 02:17

PMSL! Mitzi's right. Our Dave is not from Hooters, He's from the council and he knows the decision was well dodgy

JessinAvalon · 15/10/2010 07:50

Bristol has a few days of respite before Hooters officially opens. The photo is from some mock shifts that the manager held for staff training at which you could eat sone chicken wings and leer at the girls for free.

Sakura · 15/10/2010 08:36

The girls look self-conscious and uncomfortable, especially that blonde one with her arms crossed in front of her. It's not the same as dressing to out to a club, she's just realised.

DavidStHubbins · 15/10/2010 10:18

How could she have 'just realised'?

The uniform really does look awful. I have to admit that I'm coming round to the way you think about this place. Don't get too excited though - I'm not going to join your campaign to ban it.

So, to recap, so far on this and the previous thread, I have been accused of being the following:

A libertarian journalist
An agent of the sex industry
A Hooters public relations officer
A member of bristol licensing committee

There are probably others that I missed.

Either I'm very busy, or you need to make your mind up.

Sakura · 15/10/2010 10:41

I think she's "just realised" it's not cool. That it's just the same as a sweaty, greasy Maccy D's or Tesco except you're all exposed.

They probably think it's a bit "edgy" when they sign up for it, and perhaps get chuffed that they passed the looks test. Reality appears to have hit for some of them in that photo.
IT's just sleaze.
If you're in a club, dressed like that, there is most definitely an element of control involved. But at work? When the uniform is compulsory, and all the other women are dressed exactly the same way as you? No fun at all, I reckon.

DavidStHubbins · 15/10/2010 11:52

I quite agree. It's not my place to stop people making stupid choices though.

MumBristol · 15/10/2010 11:52

Exactly, Sakura. If you saw the C4 documentary you'll have seen Jimbo the manager calling an inspection of the hair, makeup, clothes etc of the 'girls' to make sure they were presenting themselves in the way he wanted.

Sakura · 15/10/2010 12:04

AH...women and choices. That old chestnut.
Like those stupid African mothers you were talking about who made the "choice" to feed their babies formula which then led to the death of their babies, as opposed to breastfeeding them with protective antibodies.

Nothing to do with being aggressively marketed to by amoral moneymakers. No siree.

Sakura · 15/10/2010 12:10

MumBristol, I saw a short clip linked from this thread, the bean-eating competition.

MitziRosie · 15/10/2010 13:25

Most likely 1 and 4 on your list Mr St H.

DavidStHubbins · 15/10/2010 13:39

There are Libertarians on the council? [Shock]

MitziRosie · 15/10/2010 13:41

That's a clear denial?

DavidStHubbins · 15/10/2010 13:47

I neither admit nor deny and put you to strict proof.Wink

MitziRosie · 15/10/2010 13:57
Hmm
JessinAvalon · 16/10/2010 09:42

Hooters in Bristol amass their diverse range of waiting staff:
Staff photo

Sakura · 16/10/2010 09:47

Gah..
Underneath is the comment by that guy implying the girls are having fun...

That's the market, isn't it. The men who go there believe the girls are enjoying themselves.

Maybe they are, who knows anymore

But the effect it has on the way society views women, the notion of what women are for remains the same

DavidStHubbins · 16/10/2010 09:56

We've already established that Hooters have no respect for equality law, but it seems they flaunt Facebook's terms if use too...

DavidStHubbins · 16/10/2010 10:00

Flout Blush

LeninGhoul · 16/10/2010 10:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JessinAvalon · 17/10/2010 18:38

Yet another pointless article in the local paper (on page 3 of yesterday's edition) about the opening of Hooters.

Hmm... makes you wonder if they've paid to be mentioned in the Evening Post.

Pointless article here

We are not commenting on the article as it just encourages the EP to keep printing them and encourages the trolls to come and write abusive posts.

DavidStHubbins · 17/10/2010 19:15

If you don't want to encourage the Evening Post, then why are you posting links to its 'pointless article'?

AliceWorld · 17/10/2010 20:06

Agree re why they are getting promoted in the local press, but good that they mentioned that there was opposition.

JessinAvalon · 17/10/2010 20:29

Hi Aliceworld - it seems that they have paid to be mentioned as much as possible. I think there's going to be something else in the paper tomorrow as well as it's their official opening (although they were open today with blaring music and jiggling Hooters girls).

Two years ago the Evening Post were anti-Hooters and reported on the numerous letters and comments they'd had protesting the possible opening of Hooters in Bristol. Now they're taking every opportunity to publish a story about them.