Convenience retailers are perfectly placed to save lives in their local communities, according to a charity that helps place defibrillators around the UK.

Speaking to Retail Express, HeartSafe founder Clive Setter advised local shop owners: “If you have a busy store in a busy area then there will be a need to deploy a defibrillator.”

Having an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) nearby can increase the chances of someone surviving a sudden cardiac arrest from 9% to 70% according to Setter.

Premier Littleton Stores in Worcester had a unit fitted last year and it may have been used once already according to staff member Emma Green, who told Retail Express, “We agreed to have it installed because there’s nothing like it in the local area, the owner had the devices fitted on both of his shops.”

The Littleton Stores devices were paid for by the parish council, but many are installed following fundraising efforts and others, such as those outside many Co-op stores in the UK, are funded privately by businesses.

Asked why local shops should install the devices, the HeartSafe founder replied: “It’s not just for your customers or for your communities, it’s for your staff. Cardiac arrest can come for anyone at any time but with so many over 50s hired in local shops it really should be seen just like maintaining a first aid kit.”

He added: “Every convenience store is for the good of the community, but having an AED outside is the best way to show it.”