Over the past year, businesses across Cornwall have had to adapt to a 'new normal' in order to keep their operations ongoing.

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, both people and businesses have needed to find new ways in which to keep their heads above water as multiple lockdowns have made business as usual impossible.

St Austell-based Duchy Defibrillators have, like many businesses across Cornwall, experienced a tough year and, although continuing to manufacture their defibrillator cabinets, they found that sales slowed and the training courses they offered ceased. 

Duchy Defibrillators have been has been reflecting on the challenges of the last twelve months, their hopes for the future, and how they have played their part in saving lives.

Back in the summer of 2019, when the world was a very different place, the business had just moved into new premises, with more cause for celebration to follow. 

In early spring of 2020, with the help of Community Led Local Development (part of the Cornwall Development Company), they secured a grant from the European Regional Development Fund which enabled them to invest in new equipment and fit out their larger workshop in readiness to expand.

Sadly, these successes were soon overshadowed by the sheer scale of what the UK was facing. 

The company tried to remain positive and the flexibility of their new premises meant that during the first lockdown they had the space to safely develop their products. 

Alan Odgers, owner of Duchy Defibrillators, said: "Like so many businesses we had to adapt, so we decided to use this quieter period to pre-build lots of parts and spend time exploring areas of the business we could develop. 

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"It wasn’t an easy time though, we had large overheads and little money coming in, we had to continue to pay our rent and business rates and received only a small amount of financial support."

"We are lucky that we’ve managed to adapt the courses we run, and all can now be delivered online. 

"As a team, we have met the challenge head on and we plan to host more courses this way in the future, we know there are other businesses doing similar but I’m confident we can stay ahead of the game.” 

As an essential business, Duchy Defibrillators has remained open throughout each successive lockdown, with the cabinets they manufacture and monitor continuing to be put to use. 

In fact, 2020 saw their defibrillators being deployed 71 times during the year, the busiest period they’ve experienced. 

They are aware of 4 lives being saved through the use of their defibrillators, alongside good early CPR by members of the public trained by them.

The company is also out installing new cabinets and adding monitoring equipment to existing ones, allowing town and parish councils, and other organisations, to save money on their existing providers. 

With regards to the future, Alan said: "2021 has started brighter for us, with 4 new monitored cabinets being ordered so far. 

"We’re sorting course dates so that we are ready to relaunch as soon as we come out of lockdown. 

"We’ve reduced participant numbers, from 12 to 6 people, to allow more room and social distancing, something we will continue to do in the future. 

"We have new projects in the pipeline, and we will be out providing CPR sessions to those areas that have already had a cabinet from us."