Key Highlights
- The world’s biggest Hooters bar in Liverpool is shutting down after a difficult year.
- Staff at the venue were not paid tips since August to support the struggling business.
- The restaurant faced several controversies, including a row with the council over its neon signs and legal issues involving an ex-boss.
- The new business plan will see the Hooters venue transition into a more inclusive concept for locals to be proud of.
The Hooters Phenomenon in Liverpool
In 2022, the world’s largest Hooters bar opened its doors on Water Street in Liverpool. Distinguished by its iconic orange neon signs and scantily-clad waitresses known as “Hooters Girls,” this establishment quickly became a talking point both locally and internationally.
Financial Struggles and Controversies
The closure of the Liverpool Hooters is not just a business decision; it’s a tale of financial turmoil and public controversy. In what has been described as a “difficult year,” staff were reportedly not paid tips from August onwards, with the withheld funds used to prop up the struggling enterprise.
According to Barry Morris, who took over day-to-day control in an effort to stabilize the venue, the business faced significant financial pressures. He stated, “The business has been under extreme financial pressure, and service charge money that was collected has already been used to cover essential operating costs at a time when there were no other funds available.”
Morris’s decision to close the Hooters bar comes after a series of contentious issues. The neon signs on Water Street sparked a lengthy legal battle with Liverpool city council, leading to their eventual removal in June 2025.
New Vision and Future Plans
Barry Morris aims to better reflect the city of Liverpool by closing Hooters and opening a new concept that is more inclusive. He believes this move will create an environment locals can be proud of, moving away from the controversial Hooters brand.
Morris explained his vision: “After a very difficult year for the business, including the loss of key signage and the disruption around Liverpool parade day, I stepped in to take over day-to-day control in an effort to stabilise the venue. As a Scouse family man, I want the venue to better reflect Liverpool—its people, its culture, and its love of sport and hospitality.” The new business is set to open at the venue by some time in 2026.
The closure marks the end of an era for Hooters in Liverpool but opens up a new chapter with Morris’s commitment to creating a more positive and inclusive space for locals. This move signals not only a financial reevaluation but also a cultural shift within the city’s business landscape.
