The Isle of Man’s telecommuncations company is introducing quiet shopping hours in its high street store.
The change will be brought in during the Christmas shopping period, and remain a permanent feature at the Douglas shop on Strand Street following that.
It aims to offer “a relaxed and inclusive shopping experience for customers who may find the typical environment overwhelming, particularly during the festive season”.
The hours are now running every Wednesday from 09:00 to 10:00, with the shop music turned off, lights dimmed and in-store screens switched off.
Manx Telecom said the idea came about because a staff member’s “own experience with a neurodiverse family member highlighted the need for a sensory-friendly shopping experience”.
The launch of the quiet hours was said to have been met with “a calm and pleasant response”.
Nick Callow, head of consumer at Manx Telecom, said: “We understand that for some of our customers, the usual hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping can feel overwhelming.
“By making small but thoughtful changes to create a quieter, calmer atmosphere, we hope to make shopping a more comfortable experience for everyone.”
He added: “We’re grateful for the feedback we’ve received from the community, which has helped us better understand how meaningful these adjustments can be for many people.”