Hooters set to open in Liverpool after promising to be ‘good neighbour’

Despite a determined campaign by a Labour councillor to stop Hooters opening in the city, the brand has been given the go-ahead to open in Liverpool.

Councillor Maria Toolan branded the bar chain “an archaic and chauvinistic brand”, saying the application would bring an "increase in crime and disorder".

However, the new Hooters restaurant franchise has been granted a licence to open, becoming the second UK venue after Nottingham to host the American chain.

Hooters will take up residence in the currently empty New Zealand House based in the city centre of Liverpool.

Mayor Joanne Anderson had previously tweeted her anger at the proposed bar, describing Hooters as having an “infamous sexually objectifying and misogynistic environment”.

Merseyside PCC Emily Spurrell said: "A Hooters bar only works to undermine our efforts to tackle misogyny & the objectification of women.”

The licence applicant had stated it would be "a family-friendly sports restaurant".

Mr Karl Barry, a licensing consulting speaking on behalf of the licence applicant, told a committee meeting: “This is not a US company coming in, this is my client who has spent a lot of money on this as an independent business wanting to set up for hers and her family's future.

"This will be a high level, top class venue to the city. It's a well-known brand… We believe we will be good neighbours and approachable at all times."

As part of granting the licence, committee chairwoman Christine Banks told the applicants that the venue needed to ensure it was a “responsible neighbour” due to it being located in “the most prestigious street in the city".