Hooters gets green light to open restaurant in Salford Quays despite controversy

Hooters has officially been given the go-ahead for its Salford Quays venture, despite massive backlash from local campaigners and MPs.

The American restaurant – which has been at the centre of a number of sexism and objectification allegations thanks to its scantily-clad waitresses – will be opening a new restaurant in Salford Quays following a successful license application by Hooters managing director and owner, Julian Mills.

The only Hooters restaurant in the UK is in Nottingham, though permission for a second site in Liverpool has also been given the green light. 

According to the planning permission, the restaurant and bar will be located at 3 Capital Quay, Trafford Road, and will open from 9am to 11.30pm seven days a week.

It also states that no unaccompanied children will be allowed on the premises at any time, and that the premises will have an ‘active and operational vulnerability policy’.

However, the plans to open Greater Manchester’s first Hooters has been met with overwhelming backlash from MPs and women’s rights campaigners alike, with there being a total of ninety-one objections to the application.

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Labour MP for Worsely and Eccles South Barbara Keeley branded the decision as ‘disappointing’, writing in a tweet yesterday: “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 #NoToHootersSalford”. 

Organisations lined up against the application include Male Allies Challenging Sexism, the Women’s Equality Party, Yes Matters, FiLiA, Womanchester, and GM4Women. 

Rachael Moss, who will manage the soon-to-open Liverpool Hooters outlet, has defended the chain, however, dismissing claims that the brand was ‘objectifying and exploiting’ women.

She said: “The Hooters brand is empowering and celebrating beautiful, strong women. We thrive on making people happy and I am happy to take my children there. I am proud to be part of this venture.”

An opening date for Hooters Salford is yet to be announced. Follow the Hooters UK website for news and updates.