UK’s first nationwide ‘quiet hour’ for autistic shoppers to be held this October

The UK’s first “quiet hour” is to be launched across multiple retailers nationwide to create a more autism-friendly shopping experience.

In a major boost to the National Autistic Society’s awareness campaign, shopping centre owner Intu has partnered with the charity to hold an autism-friendly hour across its 14 centres this October.

Intu will dim lighting and turn down music in shops and restaurants across its centres for 60 minutes on 2 October.

The aim is to prevent information overload often experienced by autistic customers. The frequent loud or sudden noises, bright lights and often judgmental crowds of shopping centres can prove to be a disturbing experience for autistic customers, and it’s estimated two thirds of autistic people avoid shops altogether.

Intu has already trained its staff to be aware of people with disabilities and offers autism-friendly guides across its 14 shopping centres, which include Lakeside in Essex and Trafford Centre in Manchester.

Intu joins a number of companies that have worked to create environments beneficial to autistic people. These include Toys R Us, which received widespread support when it held a “quiet hour” across its stores last October.

Autism-friendly performances are now available at the Odeon and Cineworld cinema chains, and there was a recent sell-out production of Oliver Twist at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre that had been adapted for people with autism.

But despite the increased awareness, 79 per cent of autistic people feel socially isolated, while half do not out due to concern over public reaction to their autism, said the National Autistic Society (NAS).

The charity has launched a “Too Much Information” to challenge the preconceptions, stereotypes and myths surrounding autism. It is also calling on other businesses and shops to host “quiet hours”.

Autism, experienced by 700,000 people in the UK, affects how a person communicates with and relates to other people. Bright lights, loud music or pungent smells can cause an overload of too much sensory information that can lead to extreme anxiety levels.

Matt Davis, father to 9-year-old Isaac, who is autistic, said: “Noise, lighting and crowds are all triggers for Isaac so either we avoid shops altogether or we have to put in a great deal of preparation to ensure Isaac doesn’t become overwhelmed. Wwe also have to take into account the public’s perception of Isaac’s behaviour and that can be difficult.

“The idea of having specific ‘Autism Hours’ where the triggers of sensory overloads are reduced would make life so much easier and would allow Isaac to prepare effectively.”