Tributes pour in for cat who frequented local store

By Lauren Beavis via SWNS

Tributes have been paid following the death of a "celebrity" cat who took up residence at Tesco - sleeping in the carts and even de-stressing frantic shoppers.

Beloved feline Molly started spending all her time at Tesco Extra store in Yate, England five years ago, despite having a permanent home nearby.

She sat in the carts around the parking lot and captured the hearts of shoppers posing for multiple selfies a day with her.

But her death in a car accident has prompted a huge outpouring of tributes and messages from Molly's adoring fans.

It was announced by owner Fiona Keating on a fan Facebook page that has attracted more than 4,000 followers.

Molly the Tesco Cat, who has taken up residency at the Tesco Extra store in Yate, Gloucestershire, much to the delight of customers. (Fiona Keating via SWNS

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Fiona said in her tribute: "I know how much joy she brought to everyone which was why I never clipped her wings.

"She was the most amazingly spirited, mischievous, adventurous, stubborn, cantankerous, grumpy, friendly and loving animal on the planet.

"I was there when she was born and I swear she triggered my labor for me to have my son so I have a lot to thank her for.

"She would have been 10 next week but she finally used up the last of her 9... million lives. That she clearly had.

"She's Molly the Tesco cat to everybody but she will always be Molly to me."

The nine-year-old feline hit the headlines when she started spending all her time at the Tesco Extra store.

She used to sit in the carts around the parking lot, in the process capturing the hearts of shoppers during their weekly trips to the supermarket.

The moggy first started hanging around Yate Shopping Centre in 2015 before moving over to the Tesco Extra store in summer 2017.

Fiona said customers used to stroke her to take the stress out of shopping.

The 41-year-old said the family has been overwhelmed with the outpouring of messages and support since Molly’s death and said it will always give her a sense of pride that she was able to share her with the world.

Comments have been pouring in with people expressing their devastation at the news.

One said: "RIP Molly! Your favourite trolley is empty now where you would be and sleep,

"But the memory of the happy times are the customers to keep.

"So sorry for you loss, I'm sure everyone who was lucky enough to meet Molly feel the same."

Another added: "I'm so sorry to hear this, Molly gave my little girl so much joy every time we popped in to Tesco. It's not going to be the same without her."