American restaurant Hooters on hunt to find new staff
AMERICAN restaurant chain Hooters is recruiting for waitresses to work in its new Harbourside venue by approaching young women in the city centre.
Despite objections from police and the public, Bristol City Council's licensing committee gave permission to open a branch in the former Marks & Spencer Simply Food premises in Millennium Square at a meeting last week.
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Evening Post readers say they have been stopped by women in Cabot Circus and Broadmead looking for waitresses – known as Hooters girls – to work at the restaurant when it opens next month.
The chain is renowned for its scantily clad waiting staff, who are all women and wear shorts and skimpy tops.
One woman, who asked not to be named, told the Evening Post: "I was shopping in New Look in Cabot Circus with a friend when three girls came up to us wearing skimpy tops and shorts. One of them asked if I was looking for a full-time job. I said no, then she asked if I wanted a part-time job and I said no again.
"They said they were looking for girls to work at Hooters. I kept saying no but they wouldn't take that for an answer, they were quite persistent.
"After I said I didn't want to work part-time and that I already had a full-time job, she said I could work at weekends – she seemed quite desperate to get people to work."
At last week's licensing hearing for the applicant Bill McTaggart, solicitor Matthew Phipps compared the brand and target market to other American chains such as TGI Friday's and Frankie and Benny's.
He said the restaurant had a children's menu and was described as "family friendly".
But police say it is one nightspot too many, in one of the main areas for crime and disorder in the whole of Bristol.
Bristol feminist groups have spoken out against the chain, claiming that it is sexist and demeaning to women.
The Hooters website is advertising for hosts, kitchen porters, kitchen assistants and kitchen supervisors, for which application forms are available – but not for waitresses.
New Look did not wish to comment and Mr McTaggart was not available to comment.
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by Rachel, Bristol
Tuesday, September 14 2010, 1:58PM
“Oh my GOODNESS!!! This debate has been going on for ages and I'm so bored of it!
For those who have a problem with hooters - easy answer, don't go! Katie, it's been said before but if it's illegal then why don't you do something constructive about it instead of whining on here?
The girls who work in hooters, want to work in hooters, end of. It's not up to you to judge them on their job. I know plenty of girls who started stripping to go through uni and are still stripping now because they enjoy it. Surely there are far more serious issues out there? Like human trafficking? Rape? Women being forced into the sex trade? Doesn't hooters seem slightly insignificant compared to that?
Anyway, you know only ugly women are feminists.”
by Tamsin, Bristol
Monday, September 13 2010, 3:42PM
“What you on about Posie?
Looks like you missed the bus, probably not for the first or last time...”
by Posie, Bishopston
Monday, September 13 2010, 2:07PM
“"Did you know hooters fired a woman worker because she was a victim of domestic violence? or give women a 30 day limit to lose weight or they get fired? are you really comfortable defending a company that fires a vulnerable woman because her black eye doesn't reflect the brand?"”
by Posie, Bishopston
Monday, September 13 2010, 1:53PM
“obviously, that they don;t think others have more self respect.”
by Posie, Bishopston
Monday, September 13 2010, 1:52PM
“Can't believe the stupidity of the employees to think that others may have a little more self respect! Well done to that girl who said 'No'.
To those who think that once elected our councillors can do what they like I hope you will think the same should a council tax bill ariive on your doorstep having doubled.
Hooters will nevertheless encourage testosterone fuelled behaviour that, as in most places as shown by research, will increase sexual assault in that area.
What do we want for Bristol? Lap dancing clubs and places like this that blur the line between adult and family. It's a bar for your average 'Daily Star' reader.”
by I love Hooters, Bristol
Monday, September 13 2010, 8:13AM
“Still waiting, David.”
by David, Bristol
Sunday, September 12 2010, 4:10PM
“Actually I don't "I Love Hooters' will ever be ready.
Someone, perhaps them, is clumsily impersonating on the comments thread of another article about Hooters.
This is what I said there :
Although it's going to be very easy to tell who the imposter is, I'm going to use this opportunity to bow out.
I have made my points, and am happy, at least, to witness some across the board sensible and respectful posters.
It is a shame to not have the majority of my points engaged with, but I expect most will remain on here for a while so if there are people who are interested, they can read them, those who don't want to - don't have to.
A bit like not going somewhere you don't agree with, perhaps . . .
For the last time, my main point - inequality in a mainstream establishment is, in my opinion, very important to address, because I feel it normalises injustice. Obviously, you do not have to agree with this, but I strongly believe it to be the case, myself.
Respond to this point if you want, or fire some insults into the air - I won't be back to read it though, as if I saw the responses, I would in turn feel the need to give respectful return response.
I only wish those I have repeatedly asked could have done the same.
those opposed to Hooters, those against, and those who don't care either way I wish you all the best,
with respect,”
by David, Bristol
Sunday, September 12 2010, 3:49PM
“I would rather you engaged with my argument, rather than dodging answering questions by focussing on trifling matters around it.
Ready when *you* are.”
by I Love Hooters, Bristol
Sunday, September 12 2010, 3:28PM
“"I'm not here to be flattered" - No, your here to be ridiculed.
"I'm here to stake my position intelligently" - Ready when you are.”
by David, Bristol
Sunday, September 12 2010, 2:46PM
“To, "I love hooters"
Please refer to the post that already dealt with this issue. ( basic re-cap : "self congratulation" means a person congratulating them-self, *not* one individual congratulating another individual.)
But frankly, I don't really care how you manage to interpret that : If you think I *am* self-congratultory, so what? I'm not here to be flattered - I'm here to stake my position intelligently.
Personally, I would rather you engaged with that, rather than dodging answering questions by focussing on trifling matters around it.”