The protest has been organised by members of the 'No to Hooters' internet Facebook group, which objects to the American-based chain's policy of having scantily-dressed waitresses.

Panel question: Should Hooters be allowed to open in Leopold Square?

They say it is "a wrong step in the development of a contemporary and stylish city. The Hooters concept is at the very least tacky, if not downright sexist, and is certainly not in keeping with the upmarket tone of the current Leopold Square".

The campaigners say they already have support from Sheffield City Council, South Yorkshire Women's Development Trust, officers from Sheffield Hallam University Students' Union and students from the University of Sheffield.

Kirsty Bowen, a member of the campaign, said: "Hooters reinforces the damaging idea that women are objects for male pleasure. The chain may deny this as much as possible but the very fact that they are called Hooters, a derogatory word for women's breasts speaks for itself. The bar will have a detrimental effect on the area and an increase in anti-social behaviour is the least we can expect from this proposal."

Leopold Square developers Ask say they are still in negotiation over a Hooters for Sheffield.

Names for the petition, which will be sent to Ask, will be collected outside the Town Hall from 11am. An online petition has attracted 450 signatures.

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