Scottish nightclubs set to open at midnight for the first time in 18 months

The nightclub industry has not been able to operate since the pandemic began in March last year.

Author: Callum McQuadePublished 8th Aug 2021

Clubbers across Scotland are getting ready to hit the dancefloor for the first time in almost 18 months.

Nightclubs have been given the green light to re-open by the Scottish Government from midnight tonight.

Masks do not have to be worn when dancing or drinking but there will still be a requirement to wear one in some circumstances.

Paul Banham manages The Buff Club in Glasgow and told MFR he cannot wait to see customers walk through the doors again.

"It's a mixed bag of emotions because we are full of excitement and anticipation, but there are also some nerves.

"We have been preparing for this day for a few weeks now as it takes some time to get a venue like The Buff Club up and running again."

"Even the fridges and beer taps need to be brought back up to standard."

Paul notes that there were several things to do such as sorting out sound and lighting equipment before customers can arrive.

"The fridges and the beer taps have been out of action for a long time and so they have had to be checked out and brought back up to operational standard.

"It has been a team effort to get the building back in action especially over the last six days of activity."

"There is still a bit of time to go before we can get back to absolute normality."

He added: "The guidance for how nightclubs should be operating was released on Friday and so we now have an ample supply of face masks so that if anyone comes down without one then they can get a free one from us.

"There is going to be some extra hand sanitiser stations around the place too and various other procedures to reduce any risks.

"We want to try to work as close to normal as possible, but we also have to acknowledge the past 18 months and there is still a bit of time to go before we can get back to absolute normality."

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