STAFF and shoppers in one of Darlington’s busiest streets are mourning the loss of a very familiar face.


Billy the rescue cat has been a regular in the town’s Skinnergate for more than a decade, often popping into various outlets to pass part of the day.

The Northern Echo: Billy was a big hit with volunteers and customers of Oxfam on SkinnergateBilly was a big hit with volunteers and customers of Oxfam on Skinnergate

The popular moggie, also known as “the Skinnergate cat”, passed away on Tuesday.


Well known by staff, shoppers and residents, Billy would frequent Oxfam, The Tanners Hall, Indulgence Hair & Beauty, and Greggs, and stole the hearts of everyone who met him.


Billy was a rescue kitten, originally found in a skip by the RSPCA, and then brought to Tracey Johnstone, who became his devoted owner of 14 years.

The Northern Echo: Billy as a kittenBilly as a kitten

Tracey said: “He was tiny when we first got him. He would sit in my dressing gown pocket and just be dead happy there.


“He was such a character. He would follow me about in the house all the time.


“He’d nip into Tanners and the staff would give him some crisps and the ladies at the salon would give him food too. He loved the attention.”

 

The Northern Echo: Billy would often greet Oxfam customers at the counterBilly would often greet Oxfam customers at the counter

Sadly Billy had to be put to sleep after battling complex age-related health issues.


Oxfam Shop Manager, Rachel Parry, said: “We first met Billy several years ago when he wandered into the shop one summer’s day, and promptly claimed the place as his new hangout. We  thought he might be a stray, and had even given him a name, Mitty, in honour of the very first Oxfam shop manager, Joe Mitty. 


“However, a passer-by let us know his real name, and that he was in fact a much-loved pet, who just loved a good wander and to pop into all the businesses on Skinnergate. 


“Billy’s visits usually consisted of him wandering in during opening hours where he would get loads of cuddles from the volunteers and the customers too, and he would sprawl out on the shop floor so everybody had to go around him.

"He would also sit on the counter to greet customers at the till. Over time, he learned our opening hours, and would wait for us to arrive in the morning. Often he was the first volunteer in for his shift.

"We have even had people ring the doorbell to let us know he was waiting to be let in. He was an absolute character.

"The whole team loved him, taking turns for cuddles and making sure he had ham when he was peckish. We had customers who dropped in treats for him too. We will all miss him hugely, he was such a fantastic little character, a real one-of-a-kind cat.”

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