Tesco has announced it will be introducing a permanent Quiet Hour in UK stores.
Recognising that its stores with loud noises, bright lights and a large volume of people can be stressful for some customers with Autism has encouraged the supermarket to add this permanent feature.
About 20% of the UK population have a disability, and Tesco says it wants its stores to be a place that everyone is welcome.
A calmer environment also makes the shopping experience easier for elderly customers, people shopping with young children or shoppers who may be suffering with their mental health, the supermarket has said.
Every Wednesday and Saturday between the hours of 9am and 10am will be a Quiet Hour in Tesco. The lights will be dimmed, and the checkout noise will be lowered in all large stores.
In the future, Tesco will centrally reduce the noise of self-service tills and Scan As You Shop devices, too.
Claire Pickthall, Tesco Group Customer Proposition Director said: “We know that almost 20% of the population in the UK have a disability and we want to be able to help our customers as much as we can. So I am really proud that at Tesco, we are taking another step in being a more inclusive business by introducing Quiet Hour across all our stores.
"I know that for some people the shopping trip can be stressful and not just for people with a disability but for others looking for a calmer place to shop. We want everyone to know that Tesco is a welcome place for everyone to come and shop or work with us.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article