Concerns have been raised at plans to open a Hooters bar in Liverpool.
City Centre councillors have revealed that an application has been sent in that could see the American sports bar chain open up in New Zealand House in Water Street in the city centre.
The chain is well known in America for offering beer and bar food, often served by scantily-clad waitresses.
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In a letter to city centre residents, Cllrs Nick Small and Maria Toolan said the application is for a restaurant/bar for the hours of operation until 1am from Sunday to Thursday and until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.
The councillors, who have met with the applicant and residents, said they have, along with local people, made a formal representation raising our concerns about the application and some of conditions we would want to see put in place on any licence.
The letter states: "The operator of the premises would be Hooters. This is an American sports bar chain.
"Residents who attended the meeting were concerned about the brand of the venue and how they thought it could attract large numbers of stag parties to the area and that Water Street is the wrong location for this."
Summarising the concerns of residents, the councillors said issues raised included worries about noise and public nuisance, people leaving the premises and waiting for taxis and the 2am terminal hour.
In his representation to the council, Cllr Small said he believes the venue should not be open beyond 11am and allowing a later terminal hour would 'compromise public safety.'
He told the ECHO: "Residents are very concerned about the impact the premises could have on noise and nuisance in Water Street because of the large numbers of stag parties and the like that this restaurant could attract.
"This is a mixed area with a large number of people living there.
"Many residents just feel this is the wrong location.
"The night-time economy offer in Water Street, Castle Street and neighbouring streets is very high-quality and a real success story for our city.
"We need to make sure that premises licences aren’t granted that undermine that. I’ve been pushing hard for strict operating conditions to be put in place, if any licence is granted, and will campaign with residents to keep this area as good as it is now.”
Founded in Florida in 1983, the founders of Hooters were six businessmen who said they wanted to 'open up a place they couldn't get kicked out of.'
Rumours of a Hooters bar coming to Liverpool first emerged in 2015, when a website called hootersliverpool appeared - but no plans emerged at the time.
The US firm announced plans for 36 new UK locations in 2008 but only Cardiff and Bristol opened. Both have since closed, leaving a single UK branch in Nottingham.
New Zealand House, where Hooters is hoping to open up, is the building that used to house the controversial Newz Bar.
Launched by Paul and Julian Flanagan, Newz Bar was initially a big success and regularly attracted celebrities like Jennifer Ellison and Alex Curran - as well as a host of premier league footballers and some A list music stars.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown even gave a speech at the popular venue in 2009.
But the bar ran into licensing issues later that same year following a spate of violence.
There were reports of fights, and on one occasion a former Liverpool FC trainee was stabbed. Newz bar finally closed its doors in 2014.
A full licensing hearing for the latest application will be heard at Liverpool Town Hall on Tuesday February 15.
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