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Morrisons 'quiet hour' for autistic shopping introduced Morrisons 'quiet hour' for autistic shopping introduced
(35 minutes later)
Supermarket chain Morrisons has introduced a weekly "quieter hour" for autistic shoppers who struggle with music and noise.Supermarket chain Morrisons has introduced a weekly "quieter hour" for autistic shoppers who struggle with music and noise.
Its UK stores will dim lights, turn music off, avoid using the tannoy and turn check-out beeps down on Saturdays from 09:00 to 10:00.Its UK stores will dim lights, turn music off, avoid using the tannoy and turn check-out beeps down on Saturdays from 09:00 to 10:00.
The movement of trolleys and baskets will also be reduced, it says.The movement of trolleys and baskets will also be reduced, it says.
The National Autistic Society says it is a "step in the right direction" for those who find shopping a struggle.The National Autistic Society says it is a "step in the right direction" for those who find shopping a struggle.
Other shops, including an Asda supermarket in Manchester and a Tesco Extra in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, also hold "quiet hours" and the National Autistic Society is encouraging retailers to take part in a nationwide "autism hour" in October. The charity is encouraging retailers to take part in a nationwide "autism hour" in October.
The Morrisons scheme was introduced following a trial earlier this year in its Lincoln, Woking and Gainsborough stores. Toy shop The Entertainer holds "quiet hours" during the first hour of opening every Saturday, when staff turn off in-store music in the company's 145 UK stores to "create a more welcoming environment for children with autism".
Daniel Cadey, from the National Autistic Society, said the 700,000 people on the autism spectrum in the UK "see, hear and feel the world differently to other people, often in a more intense way". Other shops, including an Asda supermarket in Manchester and a Tesco Extra in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, also hold "quiet hours".
Angela Gray, Morrisons community champion at Woking, said: "I was involved in the initial trial as my son is autistic and we found that these changes made a real difference. Tesco said it was not planning on rolling out the initiative nationwide, but store managers were welcome to introduce it if they felt it appropriate.
"The trial showed there is a need for a quieter shopping experience for some customers." The Morrisons scheme was introduced following a trial earlier this year in its Lincoln, Woking and Gainsborough stores. Angela Gray, Morrisons community champion at Woking, who has an autistic child herself said she'd found the changes made a "real difference".
The National Autistic Society says there are 700,000 people on the autism spectrum in the UK, who "see, hear and feel the world differently to other people, often in a more intense way".
There are almost 500 Morrisons stores in the UK.There are almost 500 Morrisons stores in the UK.
What is autism?What is autism?
Source: The National Autistic SocietySource: The National Autistic Society
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