Over the weekend one Asda store in Manchester held a ‘quiet hour’ to help autistic and disabled shoppers have a much more enjoyable experience.
In-store music, escalators and display TVs were all turned off during the hour and customers were also given a map of the store with pictures instead of words to show where they could find what they were after.
Simon Lea, manager of the Manchester Fort Asda Living store, told the Manchester Evening News about his idea of helping those who felt intimidated or stressed by the ‘noise and disturbance’.
The store opened an hour early at 8am on Saturday 7 May for the customers, after Simon witnessed a boy with autism struggling to cope in the superstore.
Simon told the paper his joy of how successful the event was, saying: “It went really well. The store was silent, and we had great feedback from the families who benefited. Now it will be a regular event for us - every Saturday.”
And now other stores in Manchester Fort will be introducing the same event, as Simon revealed: “We have eight other stores on board now at Manchester Fort who will be doing the same. I will also be meeting my bosses to feedback how it went.”
The manager explained how he wanted to make a few small changes to give their customers a better shopping experience, making the store “a better place to shop for everyone”.
Customer Joanne Baines who visited the store with her daughter during the ‘quiet hour’ posted her positive review of the event to the Manchester Fort Facebook page.
She said: “My daughter and myself came in this morning to get a school skirt and what a huge and positive impact your store and more importantly your manager and staff have had on my daughter this morning.
“She not only managed without her wheelchair and ear defenders but she coped and didn’t go into crisis. This for us is huge. No head banging, biting or screaming.”
Joanne also explained that her daughter doesn’t cope with “over stimulation of noise, lights and crowds” but told her mum that she enjoyed the shopping that morning and would happily go back.
We think the ‘quiet hour’ is a great idea, and Mark Lever – CEO of The National Autistic Society – thought it was too.
“Last year, we surveyed over 7,000 autistic people and their families ahead of our campaign and shops were among the most popular choice to become more autism-friendly - we hope other supermarkets are inspired to follow Asda’s example,” Mark said.
What do you think of the ‘quiet hour’ idea? Would you like to see something like this implemented in your local supermarkets?
Let us know via Facebook and Twitter (@CloserOnline).