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Stowmarket Tesco cat Oscar stirs social media debate after allergy concerns




A popular supermarket cat has caused a social media debate following concerns over allergies.

Stowmarket feline Oscar, also known as the ‘Tesco Click and Collect cat’, has been a regular visitor to the Tesco Superstore in Cedars Link Road.

Despite his friendly nature and popularity with customers, an anonymous Facebook post in the Stowmarket Community Noticeboard group has gained nearly 200 comments after photos showed him sleeping on the chairs at the supermarket’s Costa.

Oscar previously went viral in September after posing in a trolley's child seat. Picture: Julia Gridley
Oscar previously went viral in September after posing in a trolley's child seat. Picture: Julia Gridley

The post said: “Unpopular opinion but I would really appreciate it if the staff at Tesco and Costa did not allow the cat in the store.

“As cute as people find him for someone like myself with severe cat allergies, if I even sat on that chair he was on I would be struggling to breathe within minutes and would be unwell for a good two days after - despite taking all my meds.”

Customers have taken to the comment section to share their thoughts on whether Oscar should be allowed to stay in Tesco or not.

Oscar the cat being held by Oscar the Tesco worker. Picture: Kirsty Wathey
Oscar the cat being held by Oscar the Tesco worker. Picture: Kirsty Wathey

The consensus is very mixed with some believing allergic shoppers should shop elsewhere as the cat brings them joy and is one of the main reasons they choose Tesco.

However, other commenters have raised issues surrounding food hygiene and have said they would prefer Oscar to remain outside.

A Tesco spokesperson said: “Oscar is a popular local feline and we know that many of our customers enjoy seeing him in the car park and foyer of our Stowmarket store but he is not allowed into the store itself.”



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