The Westgate Centre says it will make its downstairs 'Social' quiet and dark for an hour a day this week 

To run alongside World Autism Day, the Westgate bosses have said it will run a 'quiet hour' at 11am, in the lead up to lunchtime. 

They say the sound and lighting will be reduced for the special hour, which will run until the end of the week.

Oxford Mail:

Its not the first time places in Oxfordshire have run an 'autism hour'.

Take a look at the others: 

It comes after a spokesperson at the shopping centre admitted the social had 'not been the success' they had hoped for, and will review the options. 

TUESDAY UPDATE - Westgate opens 2 new food stalls - and one of them is selling Nutella 

Read again: Westgate will make changes to 'social' after complaints

The statement was released after two businesses - Indian-inspired Rola Wala and posh chippy Salt 'n' Sauce -  fled from the underground food court, after less than two years of the £440m shopping centre opening. 

Read again: Businesses at Westgate Centre Oxford hit out after Rola Wala leaves

Other managers said they were concerned about trading on the second floor, underneath the main Queen Street entrance. 

Alejandra Tovar previously said they were 'hidden' adding: "Not many people know this place exists. It's the location: from the outside, when you look in you can't see anything, it looks so dark." 

Oxford Mail:

And a survey conducted by the Oxford Mail proves that they're right. 

A total of 16 per cent of the 797 shoppers said they didn't even know what the Westgate Social was. 

Another 23 per cent said they had been to the Social once, but won't be heading back. 

Five per cent of the almost 800 who took part in last week's poll said they go all the time! 

However, the majority of shoppers at 30 per cent, said they had been a couple of times...

Oxford Mail: