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Shoppers pay tribute to Oscar, the Tesco Cat

George King/BBC A picture of Oscar the cat in a wooden frame next to packets of Dreamies cat treatsGeorge King/BBC
Since Oscar's death customers have left flowers, cards and treats at a shrine in the supermarket

Shoppers have paid tribute to a "very special cat" who would affectionately greet customers outside a supermarket.

Oscar, 10, was known by many as the Tesco Cat, due to his frequent appearances at a branch in Stowmarket, Suffolk.

On Wednesday his owner, Sylvie Nolan, announced the feline had been put to sleep after cancer was discovered in his stomach.

Since then customers have left flowers, cards and treats at a makeshift shrine dedicated to Oscar in the supermarket's foyer.

George King/BBC A shrine to Oscar the cat. Flowers, cat treats and cards can be seen placed on top of and next to a white table in the entrance of TescoGeorge King/BBC
Tesco staff have established a shrine in memory of Oscar

Some described him as an "absolute hero", while employees at the Cedars Link Road store joked he "did more hours" than them.

Patricia Honour, 79, said she would always look around for Oscar after arriving at the store to do her shopping.

"This is the first time we've been to Tesco since he passed away and it is lovely and absolutely beautiful that people have remembered him in this way," she said.

"He was so popular and we called him the Tesco Cat because he was very much a part of this place and everybody loved him.

"He was absolutely adorable and he used to sleep in here or go outside and sleep on the trolleys.

"It shows you what a difference a pet can make in your life and he will be missed."

Helen Chapman A close-up image of Oscar the cat sitting in some Tesco trolleys while reaching for a yellow Marie Curie cardHelen Chapman
Oscar was famously known as the Tesco Cat, due to his frequent appearances in and around the supermarket

Another shopper told the BBC one of the main reasons she would visit the store was to see Oscar.

"It is really, really sad for the community because he was a little highlight and was so cute," she added.

"I work at the local school and the children knew about Oscar and felt really sad - they said he had gone to heaven now."

Peter Hood, 66, remembered how Oscar would often walk into the store's front entrance to bask under the heater.

"It was a sad day when I heard he had passed away because he was in here every day and it was nice to be here whenever he was," he said.

Last year Oscar was nominated in the animal category of the BBC Suffolk Make a Difference awards for spreading joy within the community.

Helen Chapman, a fundraiser for Marie Curie in Norfolk and Suffolk, said Oscar would often accompany her when she was collecting donations at the supermarket.

"He played a big role in helping us fundraise in this store and brought a lot of joy into collectors' lives and helped us raise more than we would have normally," she said.

"All of us are devastated but thank you for all you did for us. Fly-high, Oscar."

'Oscar brought joy to so many people'

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