Morrisons has decided to extend its popular ‘Quieter Hour’ across the UK to help make its stores less “overwhelming” for shoppers.
Introduced earlier this month to mark World Autism Acceptance Week, and in a bid to turn what can be a daunting task for many people into “a calmer and more enjoyable experience”, the supermarket chain has announced an extension to its already popular initiative by adding new ‘Quieter Hours’ during weekday afternoons.
In case you weren’t aware, Morrisons first introduced its Quieter Hour all the way back in July 2018, and has been welcoming people who may struggle supermarket shopping environments through its doors ever since.
The initiative – which initially took place between 9am and 10am on a Saturday, and for the first hour of trade on a Sunday – originally began as part of the National Autistic Society’s ‘Autism Hour campaign’, after it was found that some neurodiverse people, including those with autism, can find shopping in a supermarket “overwhelming”.
Morrisons has introduced new quiet hours to make stores less ‘overwhelming’ for shoppers / Credit: Morrisons
Supermarkets can lead many people to experience increased sensitivity to light and sound, such as loud music, bright lights, and busy environments, and in turn, this can cause anxiety or, in some of the worst cases, even physical pain.
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But now, after the trial has proved to be so successful and well-received, Morrisons has made the decision to extended the initiative to weekdays too, as well as weekends – with ‘Quieter Hours’ now also running every week from Monday to Thursday between 2-3pm.
The company says the extension is all with the aim of “helping even more customers”.
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During ‘Quieter Hours’, Morrisons stores operate lower levels of lighting, turn music and radios off, avoid making tannoy announcements, reduce movement of trolleys and baskets, and turn checkout beeps and other electrical noises down.
“The weekly shop can be a daunting task for those who may struggle with noises associated with it,” commented Charlotte Exell, who is the Business Sponsor of Ability at Morrisons.
“At Morrisons, we are always looking for more ways to support customers, and as the Quieter Hour is incredibly popular in our stores across the nation, we have listened to customers and will now help more shoppers in our extended times.”
Featured Image – Morrisons
Shopping
The charming pottery shop near Manchester selling absolute bargains
Daisy Jackson
You know you’re growing up when you’re more interested in spending your money on plates than partying – and we’ve found just the spot for you.
There’s a charming little pottery shop not far from Manchester that sells some sought-after crockery and homeware at bargain prices.
On the shelves at Jules you’ll find a mixture of end-of-line and run-of-the-kiln pottery (this is where designers make more than needed to account for any mistakes or breaks).
Jules has been trading for more than 30 years in Hebden Bridge, selling everything from cookware and tableware to home decor.
If it’s made of clay, you’ll find it here, and at drastically lower prices than you’d pay in most shops.
They promise to offer ‘unbelievable prices’ on plates, bowls, jugs, casserole dishes and loads more.
And you’ll come across some names you might know, like bowls from Oliver Bonas and vases from Anthropologie, all for just a few pounds apiece.
The shops spans across two floors with crockery stacked up in wobbly piles everywhere you look.
This is not a place for toddlers, backpacks or butter fingers.
Jules is a lovely pottery shop in Hebden Bridge selling bargains. Credit: The Manc Group
It’s tucked right in the heart of the beautiful Hebden Bridge, so you can plan a whole day trip around your shopping trip.
This lovely market town is known for its artistic community, vibrant culture, and stunning natural scenery, all centred around the pretty cobbled-street centre.
Having a mooch round the local market, browsing the shops and of course strolling down the tranquil riverside, this is what an ideal Saturday looks like.
When it’s time for a pint you won’t need to look hard to find a quaint pub garden to plonk yourself into, plenty more spots to grab something to eat and stunning natural wine bars for a final tipple.
We could keep talking about what a gem this Yorkshire market town is forever, just over half an hour in-between Leeds and Manchester it’s worth blocking off a Saturday to have a mooch.
And make sure you pop in to Jules to buy some pottery while you’re at it.
IKEA is hosting a massive pyjama day with free breakfasts and £15 discounts this weekend
Emily Sergeant
IKEA is hosting a massive pyjama day at stores across the UK this weekend, and it sounds like the perfect excuse for a lazy day.
Don’t you just wish it was socially acceptable to wear your pyjamas in public sometimes?
Well now you can actually get away with it for once, as Swedish furniture retailer IKEA is hosting one of the most unique shopping experiences there is this weekend, and is inviting customers to ditch their daywear and don their favourite PJs instead.
Promising to be “a fun day out for all the family”, IKEA’s Pyjama Day is the perfect opportunity to shop for all your home needs in the most comfortable attire imaginable.
IKEA is hosting a massive pyjama day this weekend / Credit: IKEA
In a move that’s sure to be a bit of a dream come true for lazy Mancs, all late risers and loungewear lovers can get themselves down to either the Ashton or Warrington IKEA stores to make the most of all the cosy action.
Anyone signed up to be an ‘IKEA Family’ member who visits their local store wearing pyjamas this weekend can help themselves to a free breakfast of either a small cooked Full English or a breakfast roll, with veggie and vegan options available, or any children’s breakfast for those under 16.
That’s not all either, as pyjama-clad shoppers will also be able to snag an exclusive £15 discount when they spend £50 or more in-store on the same day.
If all of that wasn’t enough to get you down there as it is, there’s also set to be a special visit from BJÖRN bear in the restaurant for little ones, as well as loads of other free events in stores nationwide to get yourselves stuck into.
To bag your free breakfast and £15 discount, you just need to become an ‘IKEA Family’ member first by signing up for free on the IKEA website to unlock access to a range of exclusive deals and benefits, as well as up to 20% off on IKEA ‘Sleep Essentials’ until Monday 30 September.
To turn up in your PJs though? That’s open to all.