AN OSWESTRY supermarket will be holding an Autism Hour.

Sainsbury’s on Black Gate Street will be taking part in the nationwide project to make their store more accessible to those who have autism.

Autism Hour is an initiative by the National Autistic Society that encourages shops to take simple steps to be more autism friendly for just 60 minutes during the second week in October.

Major high street names have signed up, including The Entertainer, Pets at Home, Argos, Lloyds Bank and Co-op.

Between the hours of 11am and 12pm on Wednesday, October 10, Sainsbury’s will be making stores more autism friendly by turning down music and other noise, dimming fluorescent strip lighting and sharing information about autism with employees.

Around 700,000 autistic people live in the UK, as well as three million family members and carers.

The National Autistic Society hopes that the initiative has a lasting impact beyond the week of activity, and that many businesses will follow The Entertainer’s example and introduce permanent changes like their weekly Quiet Hour.

Mark Lever, Chief Executive at the National Autistic Society, said: “It’s wonderful to see so many well-known high street retailers have already signed up – and ready to make the world a more autism friendly place.

“Autistic people represent a huge part of our society and it is a disgrace that 64% of autistic people avoid the shops. And, shockingly, 28% of autistic people have been asked to leave a public place for reasons associated to their autism.

“They and their families want and deserve to have the opportunity to go to the shops, just like anyone else.

“The National Autistic Society want a world which works for autistic people. With Autism Hour, we want to show retailers the small things they can do to help open up the high street for autistic people.”

The initiative has been backed by celebrities including Chris Packham, Anne Hegerty and Christine McGuinness.

McGuinness, mother to five-year-old autistic twins Penelope and Leo, said: “The National Autistic Society’s Autism Hour is a brilliant way of showing shops how easy it can be to make little changes that have a huge impact for families like mine.

“As a mum to autistic children, it is my job to protect them and help make a world which works for them. Like any other family, we want to have the option of going to shops, to go clothes shopping with them and let them pick out clothes and experience a fun family day out.”

Hegerty added: “It's important to recognise that all autistic people are different.

“I'm delighted to support Autism Hour. For me, the perfect shopping experience would be peace and quiet.”

Find out more about the National Autistic Society’s Autism Hour and how to get involved by visiting: autism.org.uk/AutismHour