The move to include Quiet Hours into the shopping routine is happening all across the UK, to support customers who may have sensory needs such as Autism and other customers such as elderly people and people with hidden disabilities.
Have you thought about formalising Quiet Hours?
If you’re customer facing business, why not have quiet hours on a specific day so that your business can be more inclusive. This is dedicated times where staff will be more aware of customers who have difficulties with shopping and the environments may be adapted for that hour for example:
- By lowering noise levels – ensuring all usual loud noises are either reduced or removed during this period, such as till beeping and music
- Dimming the lighting
- Avoid making tannoy announcements
- Reduce movement of trolley and baskets
- Place a poster outside to tell customers it’s Quiet Hour
Further information can be found using the following links below:
Autism Society: National Autistic Society (autism.org.uk)
The Entertainer extends its Autism Friendly Quiet Hour to run every morning
Association of Convenience Stores: ACS: New Guidance on Retailers’ Legal Responsibility to Disabled Customers | ACS Latest News
Autism Wales: Home - Awtistiaeth Cymru | Autism Wales | National Autism Team
Equality and Human Rights Commission: Retailers’ legal responsibility to disabled customers | Equality and Human Rights Commission (equalityhumanrights.com)
Alzheimers Society: Alzheimer's Society - United Against Dementia (alzheimers.org.uk)
Purple Tuesday: Purple Tuesday – Changing the customer experience for disabled people