A BRIERLEY Hill supermarket is laying on disability-friendly evenings for shoppers who feel intimidated or stressed by noise and disturbance.

Asda at Brierley Hill is running quiet night shopping events - featuring no music, tannoy announcements or disruptions - for the elderly, people with hearing problems and those with autism or similar disabilities.

The quiet nights, which run every Wednesday from 5pm, are the brainchild of Brierley Hill charity INSIGHT for Carers and Steph Walker, Asda Brierley Hill’s community life champion, Store bosses say they have only been running a short time but have already proved popular.

Marc Carter, CEO at INSIGHT, said: “For most of us, the weekly trip to the supermarket can be a bit of a hassle, but for those caring for people with disabilities, the problems can be manifold.

“The quiet night scheme makes shopping just that little bit easier for carer and child, and we’re so grateful to Asda for providing its support to this scheme.”

Brierley Hill couple Peter Coyne, aged 71, and his wife Pat, aged 68, say the quiet nights have transformed the family shopping trips they take with their 18-year-old son, Ashlie, who is wheelchair bound and suffers from cerebral palsy.

Mr Coyne said: “Ashlie is startled by the sudden noises and activity you tend to find in a bustling supermarket.

"This can mean a weekly shop is a stressful experience for Ashlie, so we always have to plan ahead and take into account lots of factors, avoiding busy weekends and bank holidays.

“When the team at INSIGHT told us about this initiative we thought it sounded like a fantastic idea and knew it was something that Ashlie would love.

“The limited noise and relative quiet make a huge difference and have a calming effect on him, which in turn helps us to relax, knowing he’s happy.”

Steph Walker at Asda added: “I’m delighted our Quiet Nights are having such a positive impact.”