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Popular cat granted 'feline freedom of the town'

Suzanne Young A cat with light ginger and white fur in room with Christmas lights in the background. Suzanne Young
Thomas has been touring the town for five years and sleeps in a yoga studio at night

A cat that spends its days visiting shops in a high street and greeting customers as they come and go is set to be given an honorary title in appreciation.

Thomas the Ramsey Town Cat will be made a "free feline" of the area and presented with a ceremonial chain at a gathering at the Town Hall at 11:00 GMT.

Local authority member Sandra Cottam-Shea said although the title would be "symbolic", it would recognise the residents in the town who look after the cat.

The five-year-old feline, which has its own Facebook following of more than 1,000 people, and sleeps in a yoga studio on Parliament Street in the town at night.

The popular animal even has a line of merchandise dedicated to him at one of the local shops to raise money to cover any future vet bills.

Cottam-Shea said she hoped granting Thomas the freedom of Ramsey would also raise awareness of charitable work organised by small businesses in Ramsey.

A selection of gifts with images of Thomas the cat printed on them, including snow globes, a mug and a paperweight.
A local print shop has produced a series of Thomas-themed gifts

Suzanne Young, who owns the yoga studio where Thomas sleeps and came up with the proposal for the honour, said the cat's celebrity status in the town meant there were more proposal in the pipeline.

"We want him switching on the Christmas lights next year, and there's talk of painting a big mural of him on one of the buildings," she said.

A man with grey hair and glasses, wearing a black winter jacket and green sweater, standing in a stationary shop.
Shop owner Russell Perkins said Thomas made those who met him smile

Russell Perkins, who often welcomes Thomas into his shop on Parliament Street, said he was a real "character".

He said Thomas had frequented his shop in the high street for several years now and had his own box to sleep in.

"Everybody when they talk about him, it brings a big smile to their face," he added.

A woman with grey-brown hair wearing a dark down jacket over a red fleece. She is standing in a stationary shop and holding a wall calendar with an image of the cat on the front, and the title Thomas.
Wendy Dawson was buying Thomas calenders to send to family in the UK

Ramsey resident Wendy Dawson bought some of the specially printed Thomas calendars for family members in the UK, which she hoped would encourage them "to get over to the Isle of Man".

She said: "I think he's wonderful... he's just so lovely."

A woman with purple-dyed hair, wearing a pink sweater with a green scarf. She is standing in a shop storeroom doorway.
Irene Quayle said the cat had become "part of the family" for many in the town

Irene Quayle manages a charity shop in the town, another hotspot where people may spot Thomas.

"He's here all the time, he has his own bed and sleeps wherever he wants," she said.

"He's been coming in here a couple of years now, he's part of the family, part of the furniture."

Additional reporting by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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