UK Hooters restaurant plan in jeopardy as council rejects 'Red Light District' sign

dailystar.co.uk:

Hooters restaurant plan is in jeopardy after a council rejected its "Red Light District" sign.The American chain, which serves beer and bar food and employs scantily-clad waitresses, is expecting to open a Liverpool branch soon, but plans have hit a stumbling block with its proposed signage.Despite splitting opinion since the second UK branch of the restaurant was mooted for the city, it was granted a licence to operate.READ MORE: Hooters mass brawl sees topless thugs throw stools as waitress runs for cover Now, however, plans for the signs that would be erected at the venue have been rejected by Liverpool Council's planning department.Work has been ongoing at the New Zealand House site, on Water Street, but the signage in the conservation area was deemed to not be within the character of the area.The chain had hoped to erect two illuminated signs, a fixed banner and a new flag outside the restaurant.City centre councillor Nick Small objected to the planned signs, claiming they "belong more in Amsterdam's Red Light District than Liverpool's oldest conservation area".To stay up to date with all the latest news, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.He added: "The proposed signage, banner and flag is bright, gaudy and not within keeping of the character of the area."In a decision notice rejecting the signage plans, a Liverpool Council report stated: "By virtue of size, design and siting, the proposed illuminated vertical signs, banner sign and flag would fail to preserve the character and appearance of the application building and Castle Street Conservation Area and the setting of adjacent listed buildings."The report did add that the council wishes to work with the applicant in a "positive and proactive.