Although this kinky hotspot maid haters hot under the collar — the business is booming.
Ruffled miniskirts, lacy fishnet stockings and an eye-popping pair of platform heels are all staples of a waitress’ anime-style maid uniform at the Animaid Café in Manchester, England.
Patrons of the Japanese-inspired eatery — which specializes in sweet treats like creamy milkshakes, silky bubble teas and mochi ice cream sundaes — can expect to be referred to as “master” while overly accommodating lady staffers cater to their every whim.
The only inconvenience Animaid customers might encounter, however, is the shop’s strict “no touching or asking to touch” maids rule, according to Jam Press.
And outraged critics of the cosplay café have openly deemed the joint a “Hooters for incels” — meaning a risqué hangout for lecherous men who are involuntarily celibate, owing to their inability to attract women as sexual partners.
Manchester councilwoman Joanne Harding recently blasted the controversial parlor, which is located inside an indoor trading market known as Afflecks Palace, saying the establishment’s atmosphere made her “flesh crawl.”
She even slammed the restaurant for its “no touching” policy, arguing that professionals shouldn’t have to worry about being harassed or physically assaulted in the workplace.
“A maid café. No touching or asking to touch the maids,” she said, ”We have a gender-based violence strategy and ask, ‘Is this ok?’”
However, executives of the Animaid Café claim that the public protests from Harding and her fellow detractors have conversely caused a spike in patronage, prompting the business to hire more scantily-clad servers.
“Customers have stuck by us since the media attention,” manager Vic Littley told Jam Press. “We have become a lot busier since, and are currently hiring more staff to help out.”
On the Animade Café’s official Instagram account, a post detailing the inn’s ideal candidate reads: “We’re looking to hire new floor maids to perform, help clean and take care of customers in our café area while we’re busy making tea and desserts.”
The bulletin for the part-time position goes on to state that applicants must be 18 or older, be available to work weekends, have performance or cosplay experience, and join the staff as an “outgoing” and “confident” member of the team.
Littley credited Harding’s harsh jabs with the success of the store.
“A bad situation has turned into something more positive,” she said. “Attention from the [councilor] made us want to improve our service.”
The negativity has promoted interest from the uninitiated as well.
“There has been a fast increase in positive attention, too,” Littley added. “More people are open to hearing about what we do and asking questions.”