Quiet hour: low-stimulus shopping for more participation
Together for a city center with less sensory overload, more inclusion and relaxed shopping: Since July 2025, participating stores in Wiesbaden's city center have been much quieter every Thursday from 3 to 5 pm.
Wiesbaden's city center is a place of encounters, diversity and shared experiences.
However, for many people, visiting stores or restaurants can be very stressful - for example due to bright lights, loud music and noises or constant acoustic signals. This flood of stimuli can be particularly challenging for people with sensory sensitivities, such as autism, ADHD, migraines or Long Covid.
With the new "Silent Hour" initiative, the state capital of Wiesbaden, together with the Hessian Ministry of Labor, Integration, Youth and Social Affairs and the association gemeinsam zusammen e.V., is setting an example for greater accessibility and social participation.
However, a stimulus-reduced environment not only makes everyday life and access to the city center easier for people with special sensory needs, but also creates a more pleasant atmosphere for everyone when shopping. This benefits not only the customers but also the employees in the participating stores.
"Everyone should have the opportunity to participate in public life - regardless of individual needs or limitations." Lord Mayor Gert-Uwe Mende, patron of the project
Measures in the "quiet hour"
The participating stores are much quieter on Thursdays from 3 to 5 pm:
- Dimmed lighting reduces bright visual stimuli
- Background music is turned down or switched off completely.
- Loudspeaker announcements are avoided where possible.
- There are quiet points or personal consultation appointments - adapted to the possibilities
Participating companies:
- Galeria Kaufhof, Kirchgasse 35-43
- LuisenForum, Kirchgasse 6
- dm, LuisenForum, Kirchgasse 6
- SATURN, LuisenForum, Kirchgasse 6
- LASCANA, LuisenForum, Kirchgasse 6
- Riemenschneider furniture and children's studio, Bahnhofstraße 19-21
- Piano-Schulz, Mühlgasse 11-13
- Xocoatl, fine chocolates, Grabenstraße 24
- Vaternahm bookshop, An den Quellen 12
- Ile 22, Pottery & Galery, Nerostrasse 22
- Berg-Loft Wiesbaden, Maloja flagship store, Taunusstraße 26
- Sister Roots, sustainable fashion concept store & hub, Wagemannstrasse 37
- Kunst-Schäfer, Faulbrunnenstraße 11
- drinneN, Mauergasse 4
- Tourist Information, Marktplatz 1
Become a partner now
Would you also like to get involved? Then send a strong signal for more inclusion and customer proximity! Whether you are a retail store, fashion boutique, optician or supermarket - every establishment can take part and design its own "Silent Hour". Your contacts:
- Jens Ackermann and his team from Wiesbaden City Management, citymanagementwiesbadende
- Andrea Hausy, Municipal Inclusion Officer of the state capital Wiesbaden, inklusionsbeauftragtewiesbadende phone: 0611 315896.
"With the launch of the 'Silent Hour', we are focusing on voluntariness, commitment and joint action. I cordially invite all retailers to join this project - as a contribution to living diversity and future-oriented inner city development." Mayor and Head of Economic Affairs Christiane Hinninger
