The world's biggest Hooters opened its doors in Liverpool in November last year, and has received its fair share of backlash.
Since launching on historic Water Street in its new home at New Zealand House, Hooters has faced criticism from mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson for being an "objectifying and misogynistic environment"; complaints were lodged by neighbouring businesses at Oriel Chambers about noise coming from an extractor fan at the back of New Zealand House; and Hooters staff have even reported individuals to the police for acting aggressively towards them.
The famed yet controversial American brand was founded in the 80s, and boasts a wink-wink mantra - 'Hooters makes you happy' - which extends to its food menu, drinks list, and the beautiful staff kitted out in one of the hospitality industry's most notorious uniforms.
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It's been five months since the venue opened its doors - flanked by two huge and, once again, controversial signs - and now, many businesses in the area are staying tight-lipped about the bar and restaurant. It's the hope of Rachael Moss, director and owner of Hooters Liverpool, that they'll all "come together" and "support each other", as she insists the brand isn't going anywhere.
Cheryl Braham, owner of A Small Fish in A Big Pond, hasn't had much experience with Hooters. Her café, beloved by many, operates predominantly when Hooters is closed. She said their "priority has been solely trying to recover from the effect of the pandemic over the last few years".
Speaking to the ECHO, Cheryl continued: "I would say it's taken a lot longer than I would've imagined but I'd say the last two months in particular and as the weather gets better, it makes a big difference. The introduction of other businesses like Hawksmoor and Gaucho makes it [Water Street] become a destination. We're looking forward to Eurovision, too, obviously."
Another business owner, who did not wish to be named, spoke of an overflow of customers visiting their venue since Hooters' opening. Though they disagreed with the brand in general, they haven't experienced a negative impact on their business so far.
Opposite Hooters is the luxurious yet intimate Signature Bespoke store, a retail destination that provides customers with high end, made-to-order suits and garments designed to last.
Mo Adass, the tailor and the businessman behind the brand, has established it as a firm favourite among the rich and famous. Of Hooters, he told the ECHO: "It's positive to see businesses around, we wish the best of luck to all the businesses in town."
Further down Water Street, in the impressive West Africa House, boujee business Oh Me Oh My is getting ready to welcome hoards of customers now the warmer weather has returned. Boasting a beautiful roof garden with enviable views of the stunning Liver Building and beyond, it's a tranquil setting with a loyal and varied clientele. Liam Roach, 25, bar staff at Oh Me Oh My, said: "Hooters is not Liverpool. I understand it but it's not Liverpool - it's a historic part of the city."
In response, Hooters boss Rachael was keen to reveal why she specifically chose Water Street to open the notorious venue, despite it not necessarily being an obvious choice to many. Speaking to the ECHO, Rachael, of Beauvoir Developments Limited, revealed prior to the pandemic, she'd been due to sign for a different building which fell through during lockdown. After normality resumed, she deliberately chose Water Street to launch of the biggest Hooters in the world.
She said: "The reason I put it on Water Street, the main reason - I was just actually going to sign for a different building before the pandemic and then that hit and we had to pause - but the reason New Zealand House was chosen was because of where it was - because it's quite poignant. It's a very misunderstood and misconceived brand by anyone who hasn't been.
"The reason I put it on the most prestigious road is so it tied in with the ethos of the brand - if I put it on Mathew Street or Concert Square, it would have got eaten up by the misconceptions of what people think it is - it's not a nightclub, it's a restaurant. I put it on Water Street to break down those misconceptions. I wanted to set a tone for what this business was - it's all about location, location, location. Plus, I'm from Liverpool and I know Water Street."
With Hooters' global reach, Rachael wasn't reliant on footfall from passersby and wanted to ensure those who come to Hooters have made a conscious choice to do so. She continued: "Hooters is a multimillion pound, global, iconic brand that's been going 40 years, it's got airlines, it's got hotels; it's huge and it deserved to be put on Water Street.
"It's the biggest in the world and I wanted it to be a destination place. I didn't want foot traffic, I wanted people to want to come there. I wanted to them to go, 'I'm going to Hooters' and walk there - I didn't want them walking out of [other city bars] and wandering in thinking, 'what's this?'"
Of the clashes Hooters has faced with some surrounding businesses, Rachael said: "The very important thing about the neighbours - which is misunderstood - is when I took this over, there was already a licence on this building and anyone could have come in and opened it and had live music and DJs, they could have turned it into a nightclub."
Rachael claims she went to the "licensing committee and took the live music and DJs off", prompting some of her business associates to think she was "mad", but she "wanted to do that for the neighbours". She continued: "We're not going to abuse what we've got, it's bigger than the Liverpool store, it's a global brand. I have got a 24 hour licence on that place - do you know what I do? I don't [use it], I close it at 11 o'clock and 12 o'clock because we're a restaurant. I may use it in the future, with international sports."
Rachael feels the Hooters brand faces "a lot of ignorance or prejudice" and believes the vast majority of negative comments are from people who've never stepped inside the venue. She said: "It's a neighbourhood and family restaurant, we offer discounts to our neighbours and we're bringing business to the area. Our neighbours very quickly became guest obsessed with Hooters after their first visit.
"Many of our neighbours come in every day and we make sure that their 'regulars' table is always waiting for them with their favourite TV programs playing - we're not just a sports place. There are many of our neighbours who also come in with their children and we let them decide what TV show is played while the 'Hooters Girls' teach the kids the iconic dances and colour in with them. Our neighbours love bringing their little ones here."
Of any potential issues the brand may face in the future, Rachael added: "Liverpool is a very small, wonderful but close knit city. If anybody has an issue, come right in and sit down and explain it and we will sort it. We can't sort it if we're not aware. It will get rectified - no one wants to be problematic."
Despite some negative experiences over Hooters' launch, Rachael is keen to move forward and band together with the neighbouring businesses of Water Street. She said: "The neighbours are great - we all need to support each other. There's going to be a lot of times in the future where there's bigger problems and we need to come together. I love the street that we're on - we're not going to go anywhere."
Hooters Liverpool is based at New Zealand House, 18 Water Street, Liverpool, L2 8TD.
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