SO supermarket juggernaut Tesco has got fed up with customers coming in wearing their pyjamas and slippers.

One of its stores in Cardiff this week put up notices saying: “Footwear must be worn at all times and no nightwear is permitted.”

Quite right too, I reckon.

Others may have a different view. They may believe that Tesco is being a bit of a killjoy about the whole thing.

After all, they may think, as if it’s a big deal, the odd customer popping into their local store to buy a pint of milk wearing their slippers.

But I applaud Tesco’s action. Because what these people don’t realise is just how many slobs there are out there who would think nothing of doing the weekly shop in their pyjamas and nighties.

Yes, really.

My parents own a corner shop and every evening at least a handful of customers will troop in dressed in their dressing gowns and slippers to buy a packet of fags or a four-pack of beers.

I didn’t believe it when my mum first told me this, but then I saw it for myself one evening when I was helping out.

To think, going out in public in your nightie used to be the stuff anxiety dreams were made of. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m all for slipping into pyjama bottoms and dressing gown after a hard day at the office — in your own home you can dress how you please. But how hard is it really to shove a pair of jeans and hoodie on over the top if you need to nip to the shops?

We have to endure enough horrors whilst coasting the aisles of supermarkets without having to encounter shoppers in their crusty old pyjamas.

I say crusty because, let’s face it, anyone with so little regard for their own appearance that they’d happily be seen by someone they don't know in their PJs is likely to have not changed them for a while. What kind of freaks go out in their slippers anyway? What’s the point in wearing slippers inside the house if you’re just going to wear them outside and get dirt from the streets on them? I know they’re comfortable and cosy, but isn’t that what Uggs were invented for?

Tesco’s ban is also dealing with another more recent worrying trend that has reared it ugly head of late.

That’s the fashion for young women going out shopping on a Saturday afternoon in their pyjama bottoms, Uggs and hair done up in huge rollers in preparation for the night ahead of them.

This phenomenon, I believe, started in Liverpool and is slowly spreading through the towns and cities of the UK like wildfire. Not only is this, frankly alarming, behaviour accepted, it’s now got a sort of coolness attached to it.

Before we know it this odd habit will have cult status and hot young things will be turning up to places of study and work in fluffy belted dressing gowns and Homer Simpson slippers.

So good on Tesco for taking a stance.

Supermarkets are often like flypaper for freaks — some days it’s a case of spot the normal person in the one I go to.

So what Tesco is doing is right. It’s saying, “Come on, give us a break.” After all, every little helps.