New Liverpool business Hooters has been told to remove signs it has erected at its new premises.
Liverpool City Council has written to the US business, which has just opened its second UK site on Water Street in Liverpool city centre. Hooters recently opened in the New Zealand House building despite dividing opinion, with an official opening taking place this Monday, November 21.
The controversial chain even prompted criticism from Mayor Joanne Anderson who said: "Hooters has an infamous sexually objectifying and misogynistic environment".
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But now Hooters is facing a specific issue involving its large neon signs which have been put up on the side of New Zealand House. A complaint was made by city centre councillor Nick Small, who alleged that the signs had been put up without the appropriate planning permission from the city council.
This weekend Cllr Small tweeted out an image of the sign and stated: "I have reported this signage to Liverpool Council planning enforcement, as I do not believe Hooters has planning permission or listed building consent for this. I've also asked if there is permission for the road/pavement closure. Not a great start."
We have now confirmed with Liverpool City Council that the signage was erected without the correct permissions. A spokesperson confirmed that Hooters had applied for the permission but that it was rejected. The signs were then put up anyway.
The council has now written to Hooters asking them to take the sign down, but the business has appealed the decision to refuse its permission.
A spokesperson for Liverpool City Council said: “Our planning department received an application on behalf of Hooters to display various signage on the building, but this was refused last month on the grounds that the signs would fail to preserve the character and appearance of the building and the Castle Street Conservation Area.
"The council were informed over the weekend that a sign has now been erected and the applicants have been written to requesting its removal. However, as the refusal of advertisement consent has been appealed, the planning department is awaiting the outcome of the appeal process before any further enforcement steps can be taken. The appeal will be determined by the Planning Inspectorate in due course.”
Hooters has been approached for a response.
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