Woolworths will offer a low-sensory hour at five Northern Tasmanian stores each week after a successful Quiet Hour trial last year.
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The supermarket giant will dim lights, lower the volume of music and turn off oven buzzers in its Launceston, Mowbray, Riverside, Prospect Vale and George Town stores for one hour every Tuesday from 10.30am.
Developed in consultation with disability services provider Life Without Barriers, the program is designed to make the shopping experience easier for customers with specific low-sensory needs - including those with autism.
The stores will join more than 260 others nationwide. Rival Coles introduced a Quiet Hour at its Wellington Street and Mowbray stores in March, along with five other sites in the state's North-West and South.
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Life Without Barriers chief executive Claire Robbs described the move as a "fantastic accessibility initiative" which recognised that people had different accessibility needs.
"It gives people a way to do their shopping and increase their independence in an environment that is not stressful and overwhelming to them," she said.
During the hour, the stores will also reduce the volume on phones and registers, remove roll cages from the shop floor and stop all non-emergency PA announcements. The program officially began in the stores this week.
"Off the back of successful trials, we're delighted to expand Quiet Hour to stores in Launceston for the benefit of even more customers," Woolworths operations manager Tristan Merrett said.
"Our team takes great pride in ensuring the store is quieter and less stressful for customers who want to shop during Quiet Hour and we look forward to welcoming them in store."
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