A POPULAR shop has announced a major change to its hours, following in the footsteps of supermarkets.
Electrical retailer Currys has introduced a “quiet hour” for shoppers who are sensitive to noise and busy times.
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For the first hour of the day and until 11am, the electrical retailer will reduce noise in-store, keeping lights low and making sure there are no flashing screens to ensure a calmer place to shop.
The move is designed to help people with disabilities like autism and anxiety.
It will be rolled out in all 830 stores across the country from Monday to Friday.
Paula Coughlan, from Currys, said: “I am really proud of this initiative, which shows our commitment to making Currys a place where everyone feels comfortable to shop.
“It’s a really big step for a retailer of our size and scale, and really demonstrates our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
“The feedback from the trial was overwhelmingly positive, and I am delighted that we are becoming a more inclusive retailer.”
Currys has been testing out the quiet shopping hours in stores across the Nothwest of England and Wales.
The move follows other retailers in recent years, including supermarkets like Asda and Tesco.
Tesco first started the scheme in 2017 with the aim of helping those with autism who can become overwhelmed by loud noises.
Now, the scheme is extended to every one of Tesco’s more than 2,000 stores in the UK.
Quiet hours take place on Wednesday and Saturday from 9am to 10am.
Meanwhile, early afternoon hours between 2pm and 3pm are “quiet hours” at all of Asda’s 630 stores.
The supermarket’s quiet hours run on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Morrisons introduced quiet hours to all its stores on Sundays between 9am and 10am in October last year after a similar trial.
Lidl has “Autism Aware” quiet evenings on Tuesday from 6pm until 8pm.
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