While lockdown means we are missing south Cumbria's nightlife scene, it can be comforting to look back over fond memories of evenings spent out on the town before coronavirus.

The area's nightclubs have long been renowned for the atmosphere they generate and, with their varied mix of music, dancing, drinks and events, have created some of the best parties and memories for many of us.

Buffers was a well-known nightclub in Ulverston following its opening in 1983.

The Mail: SMILES: The co-owners of Buffers and Hoppers fun pub, William Mackereth, left, and Derek Summers, present £500 in 1995 to Anne Myers SMILES: The co-owners of Buffers and Hoppers fun pub, William Mackereth, left, and Derek Summers, present £500 in 1995 to Anne Myers

The lease was negotiated with Network Rail and allowed the popular nightspot to open, offering countless nights of entertainment until the lease was offered for sale by Barrow-based Kia Leisure in June 2007 and the club closed in May the following year.

A fall in trade had been blamed on the introduction of late-night drinking laws in Ulverston town centre from 2005.

In 2009 it was hoped that the building could become an activity centre with a children’s fun house, café, and a synthetic ice rink.

The Mail: PARTY: A busy scene outside Kavanna’s in Cornwallis Street, BarrowPARTY: A busy scene outside Kavanna’s in Cornwallis Street, Barrow

The club was part of the Grade II-listed railway station buildings, which were designed for the Furness Railway in the 1870s by architects Paley and Austin.

In 1992 Buffers was the venue for a disco which saw Sandra Brown, of Mearness Drive, Ulverston, chosen as the town’s carnival queen.

Another must-visit spot on the scene was the Grain and Grapes Pub, which was on the cutting edge in 1981 when it became the first to install closed-circuit TV, while neighbouring club Scorpio One installed one shortly after.

Grain and Grapes manager John Raisbeck said: “There are two monitors, one of which is in my office, and eight cameras.

The Mail: CHEERS: Glasses are raised in celebration at the sixth anniversary of Buffers nightclub at Ulverston back in August 1989CHEERS: Glasses are raised in celebration at the sixth anniversary of Buffers nightclub at Ulverston back in August 1989

"While I can see the whole pub, the monitor which customers can see above the lounge bar only covers the wine bar and the cellar bar.

"Closed-circuit TV is obviously a security measure because of the size of the pub but customers will also be able to see who is in the other bars.”

Scorpio proprietor Colin Lavery was impressed by the system.