A well-known high street bakery chain has made the most out of a critter-cal problem after a red squirrel scampered into Greggs in Pitlochry at the weekend and its antics put the branch in the public eye.
The red squirrel came in through the shop unit’s roof and was discovered in the premises on Saturday, September 24.
A decision was taken to close the bakery outlet on Atholl Road until the protected species could be safely removed and returned to woodland.
A Greggs spokesperson said: “Greggs in Pitlochry is closed today due to a red squirrel being found in the shop.
“We’re making sure the squirrel is rescued and let back into the woodland.
“Once the shop has been thoroughly cleaned, the shop will reopen as normal.”
Pitlochry is a hotspot for red squirrels but finding one in a bakery is most unusual.
The red peril got the run of the premises while a solution to free it was worked on.
It is against the law to disturb a red squirrel when it is occupying a structure or place for shelter or protection.
A post on Pitlochry News Facebook on Monday read: “Update - Greggs is closed because of the squirrel. This little guy is stuck inside.”
Greggs senior management was alerted to the intruder and efforts were made locally to find an organisation willing to try and capture the endangered species.
The SSPCA was reportedly asked to get involved.
Several people questioned why the door could not just be left ajar for the squirrel to make its way out.
Local resident Shona Rollo saw the little creature taking a look outside through the shop window.
She posted her picture on social media and reported that the squirrel looked intent on getting back to the wild, despite the choice of food available in shop.
She said it “looked a little stressed, running all around, jumping on the chairs.”
Her boys had enjoyed “eyeballing” the visitor who had had the place to himself since Saturday evening.
The squirrel was captured and video was released on @GreggsOfficial twitter feed of the squirrel being set free in woodland.
“After giving us the run around, we managed to catch the Greggs Squirrel safe and sound. Thanks for the, er, enthusiastic first shift,” said Greggs on its socials.
Widespread coverage had led to the tagging of the animal as The Greggs Squirrel.
The company joked that it had made up a special employee name badge.
Staff at the Pitlochry Greggs had a tough time wading through all the jokes made by customers when the snack store reopened on Tuesday.
