Freddie the cat leads the charge for Tesco return as council clarifies position

The friendly four-year-old feline has become a familiar face greeting shoppers at the Tesco superstore in Skegness, with some visitors even stopping by to see him before heading to the beach.

However, Freddie recently became the centre of attention after his box was reportedly removed from the foyer following a complaint. The move sparked a wave of support, with multiple Change.org petitions launched calling for his return.

One petition, started by his owner Julie Maczynski, has already gathered more than 2,000 signatures, while even fellow local felines have joined the cause—including a light-hearted campaign led by the “Co-op Cat.”

Despite the controversy, Julie says Freddie’s routine won’t be changing anytime soon.

“He has his routine and he enjoys going to see people at Tesco,” she said. “I’m not going to keep him in.”

Since the Skegness Standard first reported the story, reaction has surged, with more than 700 comments flooding the paper’s Facebook page. Many supporters have described Freddie as “a beacon of joy and happiness for the residents of Skegness,” with petitions arguing that banning him has deprived the community of a much-loved presence.

Supporters are now calling for talks with store management to find a safe way for Freddie to continue his visits. However, some residents have raised concerns about his safety near the busy store and car park, with one commenting: “The most important thing is keeping him safe.”

Freddie’s popularity has been growing steadily over the past year. His owner previously launched themed merchandise to raise money for the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre, further boosting his local celebrity status.

At the time, a Tesco spokesperson described Freddie as “something of a local celebrity,” noting that while he was not allowed inside the store itself, he appeared very much at home in the foyer greeting shoppers.

Following the recent developments, a spokesperson for East Lindsey District Council has now clarified the authority’s position:

“We can confirm that a complaint was received from a shopper at Skegness Tesco regarding Freddie. We fully recognise that he is a much-loved local character, and at no point have we requested his removal from the store.

“The responsibility for ensuring Freddie remains in the foyer area sits with his owner and the store management, and this is not something the council would seek to enforce. We will work pragmatically with Tesco to support wherever we can to allow Freddie to safely and appropriately remain in place.

“We strongly condemn the online misinformation and incidents of threatening and harassing behaviour we have seen towards council and Tesco staff as we help find a solution that allows Freddie to continue bringing a smile to shoppers, while ensuring the store can operate with confidence.”

At the time of writing, the Skegness Standard is still awaiting an updated response from Tesco.

Meanwhile, Freddie himself appears unfazed by the debate—recently returning to the store to meet fans, pose for photos, and continue his campaign to reclaim his spot in the foyer.