THE Entertainer in Redditch has reopened with a change of hours for those wanting a quieter shopping experience.
The initiative aims to provide a calmer environment for autistic people but also for any shoppers who may find the increase in footfall a stressful experience.
All stores across the country will turn off music and have their lights dimmed for the first hour of each trading day this week.
Staff have also undergone training in a bid to support customers should they become overwhelmed in the Kingfisher Shopping Centre store.
National Autistic Society research found that 64 per cent of autistic people and their carers avoid the shops all together and that more than a quarter have been asked to leave a public space because of their autism.
Tom Purser, campaign head at National Autistic Society, said: “We are very pleased The Entertainer is continuing to provide quiet hours for its customers.
“Autistic people represent a huge part of our society – around 1 in 100 people in the UK.
“They want to have the opportunity to go to the shops, just like anyone else. But many find the crowds, noise and unpredictability of our high streets completely overwhelming and end up avoiding it altogether.”
The quiet hours will be in operation every day this week up until April 17.
From then on it will continue every Saturday morning.
Visit http://www.autism.org.uk to find out more about National Autistic Society.
