B&M: Cat in centre of controversy for sleeping in shop

Snuggles, a black cat, has grown a fan base for his tendency to sleep outside KFC and inside B&M in Enham Arch Retail Park.

The cat, who roams around the area, has been called an 'honorary member of staff' at the B&M due to how often it frequents the store.

READ MORE: RSPCA warns of increased animal abuse reports in Hampshire

Snuggles the cat sleeping outside B&M (Image: Julie Watts)

The feline has even got its own group on Facebook called 'Snuggles Fan Club' where members share photos and videos of their experiences meeting the cat.

However, controversy was sparked after a resident in the town made a post in the 'Spotted in Andover' Facebook group, alleging that the cat's presence inside the store, which sells a variety of products including food, homeware and stationary was 'unhygienic'.

The post read: "Awww cute, an unkept cat sleeping in the store where food products are kept."

The resident then said that they would be making a complaint about the feline to B&M's head office, which garnered mixed opinions from residents. 

Libby Holland, 19, who works at the store, said he 'brightens up your day' adding that banning Snuggles would 'put a lot of people down'.

She told the Advertiser: "I'm currently on maternity leave, so when I go in there I love seeing Snuggles and my co-workers absolutely love Snuggles. The deputy manager loves him, everyone loves him.

"I wouldn't say that it's unhygienic. There's a cat café in Andover and obviously, they sell cakes and food and everything, but B&M sells packaged found, it's all packaged. 

Libby, who has been working at the shop since July 2022, said that Snuggles has 'never gone by the food' adding he 'mainly stays by the tills and outside'.

"He's like a support animal, he brightens up everyone's day. It would upset me to ban him," she added.

B&M was contacted for further information but it did not respond before the Advertiser went to print.