Vertu Motors is installing defibrillators in all its dealerships at a cost of more than £100,000.

Defibrillators will soon be available in all Bristol Street Motors, Vertu Motors, Vertu Motorcycles and Macklin Motors dealerships, said Vertu.

The roll-out first began in March and should be finished by the end of May, with each defibrillator costing £650.

Robert Forrester, chief executive of Vertu Motors, said: “Installing these defibrillators is an extension of the duty of care we are committed to providing in all our dealerships.

“In addition, in case of a medical emergency, the devices will provide some reassurance to our colleagues, customers and any members of the nearby community.

“Defibrillators have the potential to be real life savers and will buy people time until an ambulance crew arrives in the event of someone taking ill in one of our dealerships.”

The defibrillators talk users through how to attach the defibrillator pads - it will then assess the heart rhythm and will tell people to deliver a shock if it's needed.

As the roll-out continues, dealership colleagues are being shown how to use the defibrillators, and video is available on the Group’s internal communications system where staff can refresh their knowledge.

Kevin Middlemiss, health and safety manager at Vertu Motors, said: “Safeguarding the health and safety of our colleagues, customers and visitors at our sites is of paramount importance.

“We never rest on our laurels and are continuously risk assessing and, where necessary, will update safety procedures and systems to meet changing circumstances and practices.

“We have colleagues trained in first aid, but a defibrillator enhances a person’s chances of survival in the event of a cardiac arrest, so we are pleased to be rolling them out across all our dealerships.”

The news follows Vertu Motors completing a £2 million share buy back transaction to boost its employee benefit trust” as Forrester increased his own shareholding in the car retail PLC.

Vertu revealed earlier this month that it had successfully leveraged car retail’s “sector tailwinds” to deliver a 41.9% rise in turnover and 228% rise in adjusted pre-tax profits in a record-breaking set of 2021/22 annual financial results.