Some customers have threatened to boycott Wilko after the retailer announced dogs would be allowed in its stores.
Wilko recently revealed it was planning to close 15 stores this year, in a statement back in January, but those that remain will be allowing dogs in alongside their owners.
The Nottinghamshire-based company said on Monday, February 7, dogs will now be allowed into 248 of their stores.
According to LeicestershireLive it said: "A pet is more than just a pet, they’re family. That’s why we’ve decided to welcome pets in-store at 248 of our locations.
"We hope that shoppers will enjoy bringing their furry friends along with them.
"Please check for new signage at the entrance of your local store to see if they are participating."
Replying to the retailer on Facebook some customers were less than pleased, however.
One Wilko customer said: "This is no good for my child that has anaphylaxis reactions to animal dander and saliva.
"Service dogs have their place in stores and we can avoid them and monitor, they are well behaved etc.. pets do not belong in stores and raises the risk for my son to come in contact with areas that have been contaminated!
"We won't be shopping in your all dogs welcome stores!"
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Another pointed out that some shoppers could be afraid of dogs.
They wrote: "I like dogs, but don’t particularly want them around me in a shop. Lots of people are afraid of dogs, and being in a confined space with them isn’t going to be a pleasant experience.
"Plus, I’d be afraid of stepping on paws if the dogs gets unwantingly too close…"
A third customer said: "One shop I will now not be shopping in to keep myself and my assistance dog safe!!
"Wilko you should do better and no better shame on you! I have already had a incident in one of your stores with a pet dog trying to attack my assistance dog!! And that was before you did this stupid rule."
One user pointed out the move would may make life harder for guide dog users.
They said: "As a Guide Dog user I think this is a rather ill thought through idea.
"It’s hard enough navigating around the shop to begin with then adding extra distractions of other animals it could end in disaster."
Wilko replied to some users and added: "Many customers think of pets as family members, which is why we want to let them in store wherever we can."
