A new Hooters has been approved at Salford Quays despite 91 objections to the plans - but not everyone is against the proposal.
The controversial plans to open a Hooters bar and restaurant in the old Chiquitos building on Capital Quay, next to the Salford Quays tram stop, were approved at a licensing committee meeting on Friday, June 10, despite opposition from Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.
Trafford and Stretford MP Rebecca Long-Bailey, the Women's Equality Party, Womanchester, GM4Women, and Barbara Keeley, MP for Worsely and Eccles South, also opposed the idea, with 91 objections made to the application, submitted by Jullian Mills who has run the Nottingham branch of the American chain for 21 years.
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However, despite the objection, the plans were approved, and the Manchester Evening News headed out to Salford Quays to find out what people thought about the plans - and found far fewer objections than expected.
One man, who gave his name as Kevin, was actually in support of the idea, and was pleased to hear the plans had been approved. He said: "You've got strip clubs for men, ladies nights for the girls, and nobody's forcing anybody to go to those places, just like nobody's forcing the girls to work there.
"People are paying for it, and if you go in there you know what you're going for, it would be a bit different if they were dancing out on the street for anybody to see but they're not, people who say 'oh the kids are going to see it' not if you don't take them in there. My brother lives in America and his girlfriend works in a Hooters and she enjoys the work - no one forces her to do it."
For others, seeing the dilapidated buildings that used to house popular restaurants brought back into use was a big positive, even if the idea of a Hooters didn't necessarily bring them joy. Cheryl Kinneir, who lives in the local area, thought it was good to see the space being used for something.
She said: "I think it's a good idea, this is a building that's been empty for God knows how long. I'm sure it'll get a lot of business on match nights, or any night really, there's a lot of lads in Salford and whoever comes off the tram on match days who will go for that sort of thing.
"I think it's a good idea, certainly on match nights you see the Matchstick Man full, that gets pretty busy most nights and there's not really another place for people to go drinking so to have another place, I'm sure it'll get a lot of custom."
Friends Sophie McCandish and Jack Hayes were pretty indifferent about the idea, although Jack said he'd been to a Hooters in America and didn't really see the chain as a massive problem. He said: "It's better than them building a load more flats, I've been to one in America, they've got good chicken wings. I just think it's got a bad reputation, probably from how it was run previously. The one I went to was just like a normal sports bar really."
Sophie added: "I'm not fussed, and I don't think I'm surprised either, they're commercialising the area, there's a new Turtle Bay coming to the Quays around the Lowry. I'm glad it's not right next door to me, I've never been but it sounds a little seedy."
Ben Briggs was also quite ambivalent to the concept, seeing both positives and drawbacks to the plans. He said: "I'm a bit indifferent really, it's nice that something's being done there but I can see why people are a bit upset about it objectifying women but it can also be quite empowering. The other two [establishments] are doing quite well but I am a bit surprised for the area, I would have thought it would fit better in the city centre.
"It's a bit more of a sort of family place, there's a pub for families right next to a curry place that's good for families too, and it's an up and coming area too."
There were definitely some people still objecting the plans though, with one man, who was too busy to stop and speak to us in full, saying he had "no idea why they're doing it, it makes no sense", whilst another laughed when we explained why the M.E.N was there, telling us he was firmly against the idea before heading towards band practice.
Tallula Obrart, who also lives near the site, said: "I think we've come a long way since profiting off women's bodies haven't we? I understand some people feel really empowered by it and I totally support that, I fully support sex workers in general and think it's great to see people empowered but the fact it's for a male gaze and profiting off women's bodies has set us back a little bit.
"I'm a feminist and feel like these women who feel empowered by this can make money without being part of this, they can do it on their own and feel empowered by making money without a man taking a cut. There are better ways to do it. I'm a little bit surprised it was approved, if we put as much effort into protecting women's safety we wouldn't have women who were scared to go out at night for fear of being raped. We should be focusing our efforts on protecting women not profiting, but it's a man's world isn't it?"
Woman's rights group Womanchester tweeted about the approval, expressing disappointment that the plans had been given the go ahead. The tweets read: "Disappointed, if not surprised, to be informed that Hooters have been granted their licence in Salford. We will come back with our thoughts once we have read their reasoning. So Greater Manchester Combined Authority's commitment to tackle sexism and misogyny is just words. At least we know now how little they care about the safety of women and girls of Greater Manchester."
Labour MP Barbara Keeley also tweeted: "The application for a Hooters restaurant in Salford has been approved. I am deeply disappointed by this decision. This negates the good work being done in GM on ending misogyny. There should be no place for this archaic & sexist treatment of women employees."
Lewis Croden, a local resident who is also part of the local Conservative party, said: “The Quays uniquely attracts anti-social behaviour and crime from across GM, as well as match day issues, Salford Council need to address these before adding more unknowns into the mix. The opinions of people who live and work here are what matter, are they wanting this venue? I can see further losses for Labour due to their cavalier interpretation of local consultation.”
The new Hooters will be allowed to open from 9am to 11.30pm seven days a week, reduced from the 1am opening time originally put forward to the licensing committee. The establishment will also ensure staff regularly collect litter from around the premises every day, with no outdoor speakers allowed and the outside seating closed after 10pm.
Following the decision, Mr Mills told the M.E.N: “My team and I are absolutely delighted to be opening in Salford Quays and working in the city. With great food, service and sports, Hooters is a restaurant for everyone. We’re all looking forward to opening the doors and welcoming you all soon."
His lawyer Mr Craig said: “I am so pleased for Julian and his team. I have worked alongside Julian throughout this process; from the application through to last Friday’s hearing: He is a great guy and a fantastic operator.
"Julian is also held in such high regard by all his staff, as was demonstrated by the incredible women that came to the hearing to speak positively about him and their time at Hooters Restaurant in Nottingham, along with the other females that came to lend their support. They were the best advocates in the room.”
