A community group has welcomed reassurances that a defibrillator its members fought to install outside a north-east supermarket will remain available on a 24/7 basis.
The Fraserburgh and District Community Safety Group bought a box to safely store the life-saving device owned by the town’s Asda outside the shop last year – meaning it could be accessed even when the building is closed.
Previously, it was out of reach of the public between 11pm and 7am.
But this week, supermarket staff caused concern among the volunteers when they asked for the box to be taken down so that the defibrillator could be moved back inside.
Chairman of the safety group, Brian Topping, claimed the request was “disheartening” and “confusing” as no reason was given for the move.
But a member of the group nevertheless went along with the demand and removed the box, before staff took the device indoors.
Last night, Mr Topping breathed a sigh of relief when Asda had an apparent “change of heart” amid growing unrest and confirmed that the equipment could remain outside the shop at all times.
The safety group will now return to rewire the box in the hopes that the device will be back in action by the weekend.
Asda claimed the box can be put outside now that it has established contact with the local groups and can work with them to carry out routine machine checks, such as those required to ensure batteries and pads are in working order.
A spokesman for the retail giant said: “We are really pleased that we will be working with the Fraserburgh Community Safety Group to ensure our defibrillator is maintained and easily accessible for our customers and the local community.”
Local rugby player Chris Arnott, who is only alive thanks to a defibrillator being nearby when he went into cardiac arrest while training last year, warned that removing it from the public realm could be “playing with people’s lives”.
He added: “These are life-saving pieces of equipment and, although there was a bit of turmoil in relation to it being removed, I’m happy the decision was overturned quickly.”
Mr Topping said: “We appreciate Asda has taken the time to review the decision and, whether it was made due to a misunderstanding or something else, I’m delighted management has had a change of heart.”