Coles introduces ‘Quiet Hour’ to help shoppers

Starting today, select Coles supermarkets across Australia will introduce a “Quiet Hour” to help those living with autism.

For 60 minutes every Tuesday, the lights will be dimmed, the music switched off, the register tones dialled down and trolley collections suspended so those on the autism spectrum can shop in peace at designated stores.

The supermarket said they want the weekly timeslot from 10.30 to 11.30am to become a “judgment-free zone”.

"At Coles, we are always looking at ways we can meet the differing needs of our customers by creating a shopping environment in which our customers and team members feel comfortable," Coles Accessibility Sponsor Peter Sheean said in an official statement. 

In preparation for the Quiet Hour, Coles staffers have been given extra training for the low sensory experience.

Trials of the innovative program have so far proved very successful, Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) Community Engagement and Operations Manager, Linzi Coyle, said.

"We’ve received a lot of positive feedback from community members about their experience," she said.

All 68 Coles supermarkets with Quiet Hour below:

State  Store Name

NSW   Warners Bay

NSW   Old Bar

NSW   Wadalba

NSW   Lisarow

NSW   Inverell

NSW   Banora Point

NSW   Medowie

NSW   Wellington

NSW   Bega

NSW   Ulladulla

NSW   Wattle Grove

NSW   Moss Vale

NSW   Kings Langley

NSW   Goulburn

NSW   Manly Vale

NSW   Castle Hill

NSW   Epping

NSW   Caringbah

NSW   Brighton-Le-Sands

NSW   Pyrmont

QLD    Cairns Central

QLD    Maryborough

QLD    Caloundra

QLD    Kippa Ring

QLD    Cleveland

QLD    Everton Park

QLD    Newfarm

QLD    Rockhampton South

QLD    Townsville Annandale

QLD    Mt Gravatt

QLD    Marsden

QLD    Toowoomba

QLD    Helensvale

QLD    Mudgeeraba

SA       Tea Tree Plaza

SA       Parkholme

SA       Anzac Highway

SA       Mount Barker

SA       Port Pirie

NT       Casuarina Bradshaw

TAS    Newtown

VIC     Wendouree

VIC     Belmont

VIC     Brunswick West

VIC     Burnside

VIC     Altona Meadows

VIC     Essendon Fields

VIC     Pakenham Lakeside

VIC     Ferntree Gully

VIC     Ringwood

VIC     Brandon Park

VIC     Langwarrin

VIC     Cranbourne West

VIC     Benalla

VIC     Prahran

VIC     Brighton

VIC     Eltham

VIC     Balwyn East

VIC     Fitzroy

WA      Margaret River

WA      Erskine

WA      Southern River

WA      South Lakes

WA      Mundaring

WA      Floreat

WA      Hillarys

WA      Kalgoorlie

WA      Kalgoorlie (Hannans)

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