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.'

Yes - can't see the problem with that. As long as it's part of your BRAND, then it's not discriminatory.

Another MNer emailed me with suggestions to put in the response and suggested that I copy in Lynn Featherstone. It strikes me as a good idea to write to her directly as the Equalities Minister, as she's been quite vocal recently about the effect on young women of the images they're subjected to, etc.

That would be great if you could Treats.

It seems even the EHRC isn't bothered if it's "just" women.

How about I open up a Chinese themed restaurant and only hire people of Chinese ethnic origin, or an Indian themed restaurant...

Shouldn't Hooters actually eschew human servers altogether?

I see where you're going with that E&M but I'm not going to bite.

Did find a review though:

whatshotinbristol.com/?p=659

Busier than Pizza Express apparently. Must be the novelty value.

Btw, how is the boycott going? Y'all managing without Marks & Sparks sensible pants and overpriced ready meals?

I got a late but quite genuine-sounding letter reply from my MP, Roberta Blackman-Woods, re Hooters. She says that she will be 'available to assist with any objections to the chain's expansion in the North East'.

Good for her. If anyone hears about a north east branch and mentions it here, I will write to her again. She has already had some success in getting planning processes for 'sexual entertainment venues' modified, with the result that we were spared a lapdancig club in my town.

Roberta Blackman-Woods is great - really supportive. I've seen her speak a couple of times at Object meetings and I know that she is really behind all the SEV legislation. I think she was one of the MPs who lobbied to have the law changed. Brilliant if you've got her on side.

I had a response from my MP but it just enclosed the Council's decision sheet, which I'd already studied at length, and had a covering letter saying something like "it remains to be seen if the Council have been optimistic in their assessment".

The covering letter to the decision sheet from the Council's licensing manager said that they are "mindful of their equalities duty in everything that they do". This contradicts the Chair of the Licensing Committee's assertion to me that licensing has to be considered in isolation to any other duty, e.g. gender equality. I found this hard to believe because gender (and other) equality duty should underpin everything that the Council does.

I have gone back to the licensing manager for clarification but haven't had a response as yet.

To most of us, it is absolutely clear that had the gender equality impact been considered of a place like Hooters, it wouldn't have got a licence. But it has to be considered first, and the supporting evidence has to be believed by those making the decision, neither of which seems to happen with licensing decisions.

The police and the Council are concerned about the impact on crime and disorder but that crime and disorder only seems to apply to male perpetrators against male victims in the bar or in the vicinity. It disregards the impact on women living, working or passing through the area in the area or the longer term impact on men's attitudes and how those attitudes might manifest themselves in future.

And if the number of reports of sexual assaults or sexual harrassment goes up, presumably the police will just put that down to better recording!

Just googled 'Hooters Bristol' to get the address and all sorts of stuff comes up about M&S, articles about how it's not wanted! Nothing on the first page at least that would lead me to its address.

I had to go to the Council's decision sheet for it!

Excuse me whilst I feel a little pleased!!

For the n-th time, licensing is quasi-judicial - it isn't a vehicle to advance the councils policy aims.

If you want equality to be a licensing objective, you should lobby the home office as they are currently consulting on changes.

If reports of sexual assault or harassment go down, will you conclude that this is a result of hooters, or is it a one way street?

Glad Google cheered you up as not much else has gone your way has it?

Btw all, looking forward to tomorrow!

And don't forget to keep checking the licence applications in your town/city.

Updates on Bristol situation (what we are able to publicise) is on the blog which you can access at:

Hooters blog

Updates are on the blog. Oops!

time and place for lunch tomorrow jess?

Looks like the anti-Hooters campaign just Jumped the Shark.

Thank you!

EvilAnts - I'll pm you or post it on the facebook group.

How'd the protest go? Any pictures or video?u

What are you talking about you silly man?

The pig thing, silly woman!

Hi Mumsnetters!
Brilliant protest today! Will post more information on the facebook group.

Great to meet you all at last!

JIA

Looks like you all had a lot of fun. Hope nobody bought a sneaky sarnie or 3-pack of unmentionables.

Percy the Sexist Pig will be making more appearances to highlight Marks & Spencer's involvement with Hooters.

He's not going away just yet, [email protected]

Percy the Sexist Pig is brilliant.

Will post some more this evening. Someone was taking 'proper' photos and I am hoping to get hold of them some. And we had a journalist with us too.

Hooters mentioned in the Indy...
www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/laurie-penny-playboy-for-the-new-generation-2115668.html

So what is the comment policy here - get stuck in or don't fan the flames (as advised on Evening Post articles)?