AUTISM hour is being staged at Bicester’s Pets at Home store in support of the National Autistic Society.
The store, based at Bicester Avenue Garden Centre, has teamed up with the charity and pledged to open up an hour early at 9am on Sunday, October 8.
It is part of the charity’s Autism Hour Campaign to create a more autism-friendly environment such as dimming the lights, turning down music and till bells.
Bicester Pets at Home store manager Sarah Smithson said: “This is a fantastic initiative and one we are extremely pleased to be a part of.
“Our store will be opening an hour earlier on Sunday to provide a relaxed, stress free, autism friendly space for our customers.”
It comes as a recent survey by The National Autistic Society’s revealed that 64 per cent of autistic people avoid sometimes going to the shops because of their autism.
National Autistic Society CEO Mark Lever said: “It is really encouraging to see shops and services such as Pets at Home getting involved in the National Autistic Society’s Autism Hour.
“Like anyone, people on the autism spectrum want the opportunity to go to the shops but many find it often busy, loud and an unpredictable environment.”
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