A defibrillator at The Grapes has now helped to save seven lives

A defibrillator installed at Liverpool’s iconic Mathew Street venue, The Grapes, has now helped save seven lives after being used again during a medical emergency in the city centre earlier this month.

The life-saving device, installed by Blind Tiger Inns in 2021, was used after a man believed to be in his early 40s collapsed outside Reminisce on Mathew Street around two weeks ago.

Police officers quickly ran into The Grapes and took the defibrillator from the wall after locating the device through The Circuit — the national network which alerts emergency services to the nearest registered defibrillator during life-threatening incidents.

Grapes staff member, Isha, also assisted during the emergency as crews responded at the scene.

The latest incident is one of seven occasions where the device has now been used to help save lives in Liverpool city centre since it was installed.

The first reported uses came in March 2022, when the defibrillator was used twice within just three weeks during separate cardiac emergencies close to the venue.

Karen Strickland, Manager of The Grapes, said:

“To think the defibrillator has now helped save seven lives is honestly incredible. When we first installed it, we hoped it would never have to be used, but it just shows how important publicly accessible defibrillators are in busy city centre areas like Mathew Street.

The police knew exactly where ours was because we’re registered on The Circuit, and that quick response can make all the difference in situations like this.

We’d encourage every business that can to look into getting a defibrillator installed and registered properly. It genuinely saves lives.”

The Grapes is now encouraging more businesses across Liverpool city centre to consider installing publicly accessible defibrillators and ensuring they are registered on ‘The Circuit’ so emergency services can access them immediately when needed.

Karen added “Medical emergencies can happen anywhere and at any time, and quick access to a defibrillator can dramatically improve survival chances while paramedics are on their way.”

The venue has also received praise from members of the public and emergency responders over the years for ensuring the device remains publicly accessible and maintained in one of Liverpool’s busiest nightlife areas.