Sexualising women, or empowering them? M.E.N readers divided over controversial new Hooters restaurant

Controversial plans to build a new Hooters restaurant in Salford Quays have left readers of the Manchester Evening News divided.

It comes after the American food chain was given the green light to open a bar and restaurant in the old Chiquitos building on Capital Quay - despite 91 objections to the plans.

The plans were approved at a licensing committee meeting on Friday, June 10, despite opposition from Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett, an the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.

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Female MPs including Rebecca Long-Bailey and Barbara Keeley, alongside the Women's Equality Party, Womanchester and GM4Women have also voiced their opposition to the restaurant which has been branded by some as "misogynistic."

But not everyone is against the proposal, with some Salford resident's welcoming the addition of a new venue instead of 'more flats' and others commenting that 'nobody's forcing the girls to work there.'

A post on the M.E.N's Facebook page appeared to leave readers more split, with some welcoming the idea of a new business to the area, whilst others arguing the venue will "sexualise" women.

Facebook user, Lindsey Reid said: "In the 90s I worked in a club and we went to work in low cut tops short skirts and knee length boots. I earned more in tips than wages. If the girls are happy to work there's no issue. I've eaten in a Hooters its not exactly Spearmint Rhino it was full of families eating.

Gill Hilton wrote: "As long as the girls are safe and happy at work, then there is no problem. Ricky Barber added: "I mean generally at this point any new businesses are good for local economies and as long as anyone working