Hooters restaurant to open at Salford Quays later this year after delays from ‘complex’ landlord negotiations

The controversial Hooters restaurant plans to open at Salford Quays later this year after delays caused by ‘complex’ landlord negotiations. 

Julian Mills, who has run the Nottingham Hooters for the last 21 years, said he was ‘confident’ the new attraction would open between the middle and the end of this year.

The restaurant, famed for its barely dressed waitresses and chicken wings, was granted its license by Salford City Council in June, despite 91 objections.

In an interview with the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mr Mills said: “We thought getting the licence would be much more difficult than getting the deal done with the landlord, but it has been the other way round.

“It’s no-one’s fault that it’s taken so long, but we are hoping to get it done within the next three or four weeks. It’s a bit like buying a house, but multiplied by a factor of 50, in terms of the complexity of the negotiations.”

Mr Mills explained that the new restaurant hopes to employ around 50 – 60 people, but have not yet been able to advertise any positions due to the licensing delay.

Chairman of the licensing panel, Coin John Warmisham, said the city council was “required by law to process a premises licence application” and  that “the process is set out in legislation and government guidance.”

Coin Warmisham continued: “The decision to grant or refuse a premises licence application or the imposition of any conditions must be within the parameters of the licensing objectives. Opinion and personal choice are not relevant or legitimate reasons to refuse an application.”