Five Defibrillators installed in Inverness City Centre

Five Public Access Defibrillators are installed in Inverness city centre. The project to co-ordinate, purchase and install has been a collaboration project following three separate independent city businesses individually raising and donating funds to purchase and install the equipment. An initial approach to Inverness BID Ltd to assist them in their quest led to them enlisting the support of The Victorian Market, Highland Council, their Roads and Street Lighting departments, and the Inverness Common Good Fund, who agreed to purchase a further two complete units.

Each unit has been supplied by Lucky2BHere (Charity SCO41103) who are based in Portree, Skye.

Each of the following independent businesses contributed sufficient funds for the purchase and ongoing maintenance of a complete Defibrillator Unit and Cabinet each. A further two Units have been purchased by the Inverness Common Good Fund.

• Duncan Fraser and John Munro Butchers, Queensgate
• Hastie & Dyce Butcher, Queensgate, Victorian Market
• Cru Holdings Ltd who operate a number of Licensed Premises in the City Centre, including Bar One, The Keg, The Whitehouse and Scotch & Rye.

Thanks to the Cairngorm Group who have agreed to help fund the costs of guardianship of the defibrillators over the next five years (from 2026).

This strategic coverage of this vital lifesaving equipment for the city centre empowers and enables the community and businesses to manage a life-threatening situation, should the need arise. All units are registered with the Ambulance Service, and the supplying Lucky2BHere Charity, who can advise any 999 caller where they are located in an emergency, so that lifesaving action can be taken before medical personnel arrive.

The Defibrillator Units will be located at the following key locations chosen because of careful consideration of footfall and ease of access these being:

• Corner of Church Street and Bank Lane (Sponsor – Duncan Fraser and John Munro Butchers)
• Queensgate Arcade entrance to the Victorian Market (Sponsor – Hastie & Dyce Butcher)
• Union Street entrance to the Victorian Market (Sponsor – Inverness Common Good Fund)
• Academy Street/Falcon Square near to the Pedestrian Crossing (Sponsor – Cru Holdings Ltd)
• Castle Wynd/Bridge Street Corner (Sponsor – Inverness Common Good Fund)

The sites that have been selected to cover the city centre effectively whereby should an incident arise access to a unit could be less than a minute away and are available to the public 24 hours a day contained within easily accessible hi-viz cabinets at key locations.

Quote Charlie Munro on behalf of Duncan Fraser Butchers & John Munros Butchers: “Duncan Fraser and John Munro butchers are delighted to support the Inverness defibrillator project. Butchers are at the heart of the community, and whilst we hope they’re never needed it is comforting to know that these life-saving devices are always there and always ready.”

Quote Steven Hastie, Hastie & Dyce Butcher: “On behalf of the Management, Staff and all of our Customers, we at Hastie and Dyce are extremely pleased that we were able to sponsor this life saving equipment and contribute to this excellent project across the City Centre. It is an unfortunate reality that someone will require such medical assistance at some point on our City streets and the fact these will be accessible 24/7 at key locations will make a difference and hopefully save lives.”

Quote Ken Loades, Operations Manager, Cru Holdings Ltd: “Cru Holdings, who operate a number of City centre hospitality venues, are delighted to be able to contribute to this great initiative and we sincerely hope this unit never needs to be used, but should the time come it will be ready for action and available to all the community.”

With thanks to both BID Inverness and Lucky2Bhere for their everlasting support