The Westfield shopping centre in London’s Shepherd’s Bush district has become the first partner for a device whose manufacturers are calling an “energy mobile phone charging network”.

It’s not so much a network, in fact, as a portable mobile phone charger, about the size of a matchbox, that goes by the name of the Lifesaver. 3,000 of the units are available to rent at Westfield London  at a cost of £4. On returning the unit, the user gets £1 back.

While people renting the unit are encouraged to leave their details to be kept up to date on future developments, they are not obliged to, and so in theory, could walk away without returning the unit.

According to the manufacturer, the Lifesaver will take a dead battery up to 40 per cent charged in around 30 minutes, depending on the age and state of the battery, and how much the phone is used whilst charging.

Lifesaver is creating a renewable energy, personal power sharing network in partnership with renewable energy company Bulb. Lifesaver chargers that are returned after renting will be replenished using 100 per cent renewable energy.

Lifesaver is also looking to sign brands up as partners to offer the chargers as giveaways at music festivals and other events.

“To have Westfield London as our first partnership demonstrates what a strong and necessary proposition Lifesaver is,” said Lifesaver founder, Chris Perry. “We’re in talks with a number of other venues, conferences, retailers and brand partners, in a bid to extend our reach – initially through rental, and then, in early April in 2019, to consumers as a product to purchase…We believe we’ve created the solution to fix the problem of people running out of battery while out and about. Our partnership with Bulb ensures our energy is 100 per cent renewable, too.”