AMERICAN restaurant chain Hooters – famed for its scantily-clad waitresses – has been given the go-ahead to open in Bristol's Harbourside, despite objections from police and public.

Bristol City Council's licensing committee gave permission to open a branch in the former Marks and Spencer Simply Food premises in Millennium Square at a meeting yesterday.

Neighbourhood police officers had told the committee they felt it was one nightspot too many, in one of the main areas for crime and disorder in the whole of Bristol.

About a dozen residents attended the meeting to oppose the proposals, but they had not objected in sufficient time to allow them to speak.

But even if they had, the issues surrounding whether the chain – whose waitresses wear shorts and skimpy tops – is sexist and demeaning to women or not could not be discussed by councillors, as they were not licensing considerations.

For the applicant Bill McTaggart, solicitor Matthew Phipps compared the brand and target market to other American chains like TGI Friday's and Frankie and Benny's. He said the restaurant had a children's menu and was described as "family friendly".

Mr Phipps said: "I appreciate that there is some adverse comment about this being old-fashioned or out of date, but whether that is right or wrong is not a matter for licensing.

"It is a wholesome cheerleader look. If it is someone's birthday or a kid's party, they may do a little dance routine."

At this point a woman in the public gallery shouted out "sexism" and walked out of the meeting with her four children.

Neighbourhood sergeants for the city centre and surrounding area Stephen Bell and Matt Parfitt spoke against the proposal at the hearing.

Sgt Bell said: "This is part of the cumulative impact area, and where premises don't offer anything substantially different to what is there already, the committee should refuse.

"This area falls in the top 20 violent crime hotspots in Bristol and it has a significant impact on our policing.

"My concern is we are just adding to the number of people who could become victims of crime or offenders by drinking too much."

The applicant proposed a series of conditions on the premises that the committee was happy with.

The restaurant will be open from 7am for breakfast until midnight, seven days a week, with alcohol served from 11am onwards.

Children under 18 won't be allowed in after 9pm, and before then only with an adult.

Hooters will be able to open later for special events but must give the police 28 days' notice.

At least one member of the staff will be on the door from 8pm onwards.

It will have capacity for 260 covers, but it is all seated, except for people waiting at the bar to be given a table. TV screens will show sporting events in the background.

Speaking after the meeting, chairman Councillor Guy Poultney said: "We took the police representations very seriously but in this case we genuinely felt it was offering something different.

"There are no all-table services venues as far as I'm aware, and hopefully this will drive out of business some of the problematic venues in the area."

Mr McTaggart said he was pleased with the decision, and expected around 80 jobs to be created when the restaurant opens in mid October.

Referring to criticism of the chain's image, he said: "I am a strong believer in choice, we're not going to force anyone to go there.

"I'd like the people of Bristol to make their minds up.

"Around 70 per cent of our business will be food but we will be all things to all people."

Sian Norris, of Bristol Feminist Network, told the Evening Post she was disappointed with the result.

She said: "I think it's a really regressive step for Bristol, we're a tolerant city and it's a real shame this has happened.

"There will be protests as people will be angry. It's not over yet."