Morrisons supermarket are introducing a ‘quiet hour’ to show their support for the National Autistic Society. It is felt that adults who are autistic, or those who have autistic children, can find shopping in a busy supermarket environment an anxious experience.
Following trials at their Lincoln, Woking and Gainsborough stores earlier this year the company identified improvements it could make as well as the timing of the ‘Quieter Hour’.
Daniel Cadey from the National Autistic Society said, “Around 700,000 people are on the autism spectrum in the UK. This means they see, hear and feel the world differently to other people, often in a more intense way. Morrison’s ‘Quieter Hour’ is a step in the right direction for autistic people who find supermarket shopping a real struggle.”
Listening to customers, Morrisons found that one in five had a friend or family member with autism and many liked the idea of being able to shop in more comfort between 9-10am on a Saturday.
During the ‘Quieter Hour’ stores will:
Dim the lights and turn the radio and music off
Avoid making tannoy announcements
Reduce movement of trolleys and baskets
Turn checkout beeps and other electrical noises down
Place a poster outside to tell customers it’s ‘Quieter Hour’
The ‘Quieter Hour’will take place in all Morrisons stores from 9 to 10am every Saturday