DUMBARTON is all set to see the staple of its nightlife return as G82 nightclub reopens after 18 months of closure.

Nightclubs officially closed in Scotland on March 20, 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic and the night-time economy has undoubtedly been of the hardest-hit sectors during the pandemic with many workers losing their jobs.

But with the end of the levels system and coronavirus restrictions lifted, clubs like G82 and Balloch's Desire can now turn up the volume again and rewelcome nightclub goers.

Desire reopened their dancefloor on Thursday, August 12, and G82 will now follow suit, with its doors opening at 10pm on Friday, August 13.

Owner Stephen Sunnocks told the Reporter: "It was all very bad obviously. Even government grants weren’t enough, it was touch or go whether we could hang onto the business.

"As soon as Nicola announced restrictions wer egetting lifted we started the long road back to recovery of organising everything.

"We’ve lost a lot of staff through them moving on to other things so recruitment was tight as theres not a lot of people in the industry anymore, the club was also rebranded a week before lockdown so this is like abrand new business a new feel to it, its new faces that people will see.

"I’m happy and I’m trying to remain positive that people don’t forget how they used to socialise, we’re geared up to expect people, all systems are in place with a few tweaks here and there.

"We've been trying to remain government and covid friendly - ive been talking to enivornmental services, and I made sure I got the ventilation upgraded so we’ve got a lot of free flowing air coming into the club, we’re just ready.

"We welcome everyone back and we’re changing to Fridaya, Saturday and Sunday - we’ve got the Radio Clyde GBX people doing the Sundays.”

Desire nightclub in Balloch recently uploaded videos to its social media page of its returning dancers all enjoying themselves on the dancfloor.

It was originally thought that masks would still be required for dancing and 'vertical drinking' however the Scottish Government has now confirmed that from August 9, ‘wearing of face masks is not required while eating or drinking (whether seated or standing)’.