Marks and Spencer support new Hooters in Bristol, #2

[sethstarkaddersmum]

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.'

Very strange, but then the whole thing is very strange (not sure you needed that pointing out )

well they're a potential advertiser aren't they?
I don't see it as being anything more sinister than just the editor being under pressure to keep advertising revenue up and knowing that they could well be a big customer.
And if this is the case I think it's a better article than it might have been.... mentions that there is opposition.

Don't forget that they are a Newspaper - they report news. The only reason that Hooters is newsworthy is the controversy that the anti-hooters campaign has generated.

I've said from the outset that there is no such thing as bad publicity for Hooters.

As far as I can see, the coverage in the Evening Post has been the usual local tabloid fayre - subtle titillation without outwardly endorsing the company. It's far from 'advertorial' puff though.

This is the list of locations that the previous franchise holder in which the franchise holder was looking to open Hooters stores.

Warning...may cause you to feel sick:

List of locations

And here's a photo of a 6 year old enjoying his birthday at Hooters:

6 year old at Hooters

How touching!

Hooters opened yesterday and our local paper felt the need to feature the story for a second time in 4 days....

Yet another pointless article about Hooters

The EP were sent a statement from 2 feminist groups and they were asked to select quotes only from 2 of the paragraphs. We had a feeling that they might pick the statement about "ogling women" and surprise, surprise, that's the one they picked. Full text of the statement has been posted in the comments section.

Please don't comment on the story if you were thinking about it as it just feeds the beast!

"The only reason that Hooters is newsworthy is the controversy that the anti-hooters campaign has generated"

Oooh, DavidStGubbins. YOu shouldn't go blaming the victim in a feminist topic.
We're all used to that.

Hooters is newsworthy because a shedload of cash is being pumped into its promotion.

If it really were the campaigners who were generating news, then surely you'd get a quote or two from them, a name or something ?

Nope, who the 'interest groups' actually are is shrouded in secrecy and the 'news' appears to be nothing more than a watered down Hooters promotion.

I see Jess has got here first again.

Loved this quote from the owner:

"Hooters is all about girl power and confidence. Hooters girls have a great time and they make sure customers have a great time as well.

"We have a good mix of staff and customers ? both male and female. Parents with children come here as well and have a great time. Where else can a child go and be taught to hula?"

Well, come on then, where?

Sakura, don't you ever wonder if it might be better to choose your battles more carefully?

(totally OT now - but David, there are all sorts of circus skills type groups that'll teach kids to hula, if they can't manage to figure it out for themselves! One of the home ed camps we go to does circus skills and a fire show -including hulahoop with flames on- at the end of the week :) )

Why? Why should I choose my battles? Why should I manipulate and negotiate just to get something that is fair and right ? As was said earlier, if this was YOurAnus FAmily cafe, the greying men on the board would find that offensive enough to make sure it didn't get passed, just because ...

"Sakura, don't you ever wonder if it might be better to choose your battles more carefully?" - David, don't you ever wonder if your should take your concern (as in "concern troll") and use it for that Rape Crisis sponsored walk I suggested on the other thread?

I'm worried that you're using up so much precious David-time on us ungrateful laydeez

great choice of battles Jess.
key issue to fight on re stopping the objectification of women.
where's the JustGiving link for your sponsored walk for Rape Crisis David?

I have no respect for people who just witter and don't do anything constructive themselves.

I was just reading the comments on the article (I know - never read the comments but I needed a chuckle after lunch) and my favourite has to be the reference to the 'sufrajets' - love it!

When you're a sufrajet, you're a sufrajet to the end.

I didn't pick up on that. Tending to skim read over the more moronic comments.

And what exactly is a "theme pun"? Does that mean that they're dressing misogyny up as irony and then calling it a "theme"?

I can't believe people are actually falling for this rubbish!

Someone took Paul Macartney's rhyme scheme too seriously, it seems.

I like it, it sounds like we have a lot of zoom and plenty of power, and we can do air surveillance and swoop down on wrongdoers.

And after the news today, the RAF will be begging us to help them out.

How lovely...this is the latest comment on the EP website.

^ "I think it's great that girls with nice enowments [sic] can serve me a beer.. And when they do, I'll be taking a long hard look at them..
I'm sure they understand the purpose of their role within such an establishment"^

Robert, Bristol on the Bristol Evening Post website

And the "girls" (who look heartbreakingly young in the photos) are being sold the rhetoric of empowerment here.

My comment is still in the moderation queue

Well, they still haven't published my comment. I'm quite disappointed as it was nothing like the comments referred to here -
nohootersinbristol.blogspot.com/2010/10/sneering-ill-informed-factually.html

This post got me thinking. Notohootersinbristol complains about anonymous comments, yet post behind a pseudonym. The allegation that press coverage is paid for by Hooters is completely unsubstantiated. We can all play that game - I could suggest that some of the more outrageous anonymous comments aimed against the campaign were actually made in support of it in order to embarrass Hooters.

It's also interesting that the no to Hooters petition is cited as some sort of barometer of public opinion on the issue. Yet the Bristol Hooters Facebook account* has nearly 2000 friends.

Perhaps the Evening Post, like most local rags, has simply seen which way public opinion is swaying on this issue and has decided to back the winner. I know this doesn't fit with the paranoid victim mentality, but it just might be the truth.

• note that this is a personal account, not a page or group - check clause 4 in the Facebook terms of use. Don't say I never give you anything!

V. v. v. depressing response from the EHRC on the Hooters Nottingham ad

"As you may know, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is working to eliminate discrimination on the protected grounds of age, disability, race, religion and belief, gender, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity. The EHRC also has a mandate to promote understanding of the Human Rights Act.

As part of our statutory powers, the EHRC can take enforcement action against an organisation who may be in breach of the Equality Act 2010. This includes in respect of employment arrangements which could amount to an unlawful act; such as the publication of an advertisement which suggests that an employer may discriminate.

An employer who indicates an intention to discriminate on the grounds of gender in a job advertisement could be acting unlawfully. For your information, Section 39 of the Equality Act covers discrimination against employees and applicants:

39 Employees and applicants

(1) An employer (A) must not discriminate against a person (B)
(a) in the arrangements A makes for deciding to whom to offer employment;
(b) as to the terms on which A offers B employment;
(c) by not offering B employment.

However, The Equality Act 2010 also contains an exemption which explains that section 39 does not apply where being of a particular gender in order to fulfil a job role is an occupational requirement and, whilst having regard to the nature or context of the work, applying the requirement is a proportionate means of reaching a legitimate aim (Schedule 9 Part 1).

In this instance we consider that the above exception may be applicable. This is because the Hooters brand is based on the serving of food and drink by female members of staff. (my italics)

Ultimately, it is for the courts to decide whether the law has been broken, but it is our view that it is unlikely to be the case here. As a result we feel it would not be appropriate to take further action."

Talk about not seeing the wood for the trees! The only reason they're not breaking equality law as it's being interpreted here is because they've made the oppression and exploitation of women part of their brand!!!!

can anyone help me draft a response to this email?

Jess, I read the local rag article you posted. Buried in there is an interesting statistic - apparently there were only 30 customers for the lunchtime service the day the reporter went in?
Surely, for a just-opened restaurant that has been heavily and expensively promoted, that's really, really low?

My goodness, it seems that the EHRC agree with me! Who'd 'ave thought it?

Of course, Hooters may have infiltrated/corrupted the EHRC, as well as the Evening Post, the Council ...

Gosh David - yes you were right all along and we're just a bunch of silly girls who should just shut up and listen to what we're being told by the Adults.

(now will you go away?)

Thanks for that, Treats. Think it's worth pursuing but not quite sure how at the moment! Will get back to you on this one.

Yes, SmallClanger, 30 was hardly a huge crowd! The place is huge & I think they have been very optimistic in their prediction of customers. But we'll see.

Our panel discussion was last night and was very well attended (lots more than 30 people!) and went very well. I did a short presentation on Hooters with images and quotes so that people could judge for themselves if Hooters was family friendly. I used Mike's quote from here about "bitches with big tits" so thanks for that, Mike! That and another got gasps when they appeared on screen.

I'm thinking of opening an Aryan themed bar, blonde blue-eyed waiting staff only. We can have nazi memorabilia on the walls (nothing nasty, just stuff about the master race). Do you think the EHRC will give me the nod?