Life-Saving Initiative: Cathedral Quarter Now Fully Covered by Defibrillators

Great news for public safety in a popular part of our city! The Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (CQ BID) has announced the completion of its ambitious project to provide comprehensive public-access defibrillator (AED) coverage across the entire Cathedral Quarter. This means that, day or night, everyone within the district is now guaranteed to be within a 200-metre reach of a life-saving device.

The final AED has been installed outside Direct Wine Shipments at Corporation Square, making emergency care more accessible for businesses, employees, and visitors alike. This proactive step is crucial, as rapid access to an AED can dramatically increase survival chances in the event of sudden cardiac arrest.

Beyond just installing the devices, CQ BID has invested heavily in community preparedness. An impressive 158 individuals have received specific training in AED use, complementing the 362 staff members who have undergone broader first aid, compliance, and management development. This dual approach of readily available equipment and trained personnel significantly strengthens the district's ability to respond to emergencies.

Tzvetelina Bogoina, Chairperson of Cathedral Quarter BID, expressed pride in this achievement: "The BID is very proud to deliver this tangible improvement. With 200-metre AED coverage and hundreds of trained staff, we’re providing practical, life-saving infrastructure that directly supports everyone who works, lives and visits the Cathedral Quarter community."

James McCullough from Direct Wine Shipments echoed this sentiment, stating, "Hosting the final AED here gives everyone – staff and visitors alike – peace of mind. CQ BID’s proactive approach is making a real difference." Gary McCracken from Staff Training/Staff Nursing Ltd further highlighted the impact: "Every second counts in a cardiac emergency. Accessible AEDs combined with trained staff greatly increase survival chances. This coverage and training is a huge benefit for the Cathedral Quarter."

This initiative forms a key part of CQ BID’s five-year strategic commitment, "Safer, Clearer, Greener Cathedral Quarter" (2021–2026), which focuses on practical improvements for the area.

For those visiting or working in the Cathedral Quarter, the AED locations are strategically placed at: Corporation Square (Direct Wine Shipments), High Street (Pulse Hub), Royal Avenue (CQ Managed Workspace), Waring Street (Cotton Court), Writers Square (RAOB), York Street (Ulster University), and Ann Street (Pulse Hub).

For more details on this vital project, you can visit www.cathedralquarterbelfast.com or follow CQ Belfast on Instagram, X, and Facebook.