US firm sells sleep by the minute

Outside of bed, there aren't many comfortable places to sleep

Getting enough sleep can be difficult, but a US firm reckons it has found the answer for those of us who are in desperate need of a some shut eye.

PowerNap Sleep Centers will open its MinneNAPolis store next month offering six themed rooms which can be rented out by the 'dead on their feet'.

At a cost of about 70 cents (39 pence) per minute, the sleepy shopper or tired business person can catch up on kip.

The new shop will be in the massive Mall of America in Minneapolis.

Hubby help

Julie Hanson, a spokeswoman for the Mall of America, said the new sleep shop will let people "escape it all".

"We think it would be really good for husbands at Christmas, when their wives are power shopping," she explained.

How many tired husbands will want to sleep while their wives shop?

MinneNAPolis will offer rooms called Asian Mist, Tropical Isle, Deep Space, Key West, 12 Fathoms and Oasis.

Each room will have a different ambiance, such as hammocks and piped music, and operate a strict one person per room policy.

PowerNap was founded in Boca Raton and already has set up a similar operation in the town's executive airport.

Shoppers gave a mixed reaction to the plans, with some saying they would enjoy the chance to rest for a few minutes.

Others said that the cost was too high and they would prefer to sleep in a cinema or their cars.