Shoppers at a Tameside supermarket are mourning the death of a beloved cat who used to greet customers at the entrance.
Max, the black and white feline, was a regular at the front of the Tesco superstore in Stalybridge. Tributes have been pouring in for the popular cat, with cards and flowers on display at the entrance to the store following his death this week.
There are even calls for a lasting memorial to Max outside the supermarket - including from the town's MP, Jonathan Reynolds. “Max made Stalybridge smile," he told the Manchester Evening News .
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"We live a few minutes walk from Tesco ourselves, and my kids would always cheer if we found him there to greet us. The huge reaction to his sad passing shows how dearly local residents held Max in their hearts.
"I’m writing to Tesco to ask if a permanent memorial could be erected, and I know at least one local artist is keen to get involved, which is wonderful.
"Max’s family leant their gorgeous pet to our community for many years, and it would be fitting to have a lasting thank you.” Max's death has sparked an outpouring of love and grief from Stalybridge locals on social media, who have shared their memories of 'cuddles' and 'ear scratches' with the cat.
Images have been shared of Max sitting snugly on items at the store's entrance, including bags of compost and boxes of firelighters, lapping up the attention of shoppers. The M.E.N. understands that there are no plans yet for a statue of the cat at the supermarket, but calls are growing in Stalybridge for a lasting memorial to Max.
Facebook users in the Tameside Community Hangout group have shared their tributes to Max. One wrote: "I only met him Christmas week, can't believe he's gone. My deepest condolences to all his family and the staff at Tescos."
Another said: "My son absolutely adored TescoCat as we called him, we had to visit every week and sneak him a little treat... I'm genuinely gutted, we are a family of cat lovers. He was such a nice friendly cat. RIP Sir Max!"
A third added: "Aww my daughter will be devastated she loved a Tesco shop followed by max cuddles and then feeding the ducks. Rest in peace beautiful boy x"
Tributes remain on display at the store's entrance, where Max was regularly seen. Aimee Lumley, store manager, told the M.E.N. : “We were really sad to hear about the passing of Max the cat who was a much loved character at our Stalybridge superstore and the tributes left outside the store by customers and colleagues show how much he meant to everyone here.”
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