As a teenager in the '70s, Peterborough offered only one club which stayed open after 11pm – the infamous Flamingo Club. Eventually, we were spoilt for choice when Annabelles – now the Met Lounge – and La Scala arrived on the scene.

I remember that, over the Easter period, everything shut at 10.30pm because it was a religious holiday. We longed for what Peterborough has today.

As for Peterborough being a violent and frightening city, nothing could be further from the truth. Virtually every pub and club has its own bouncers, not to mention the police presence in the streets, and CCTV cameras. Personally, I find Nottingham and Stamford far more threatening.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Peterborough's nightlife is perfect, but it's nowhere near as bad as some people make out.

Comparing us to London, Birmingham and Leeds is ridiculous, because they are far bigger cities and also have student populations. The fact we don't have a university our own is scandalous.

It's also a scandal that the Embankment, with the notable exception of Charters, looks so derelict. The planners of this city want to take a good look at what Newcastle has done to its quayside area, as they seem to be struggling for ideas.

If anybody should be complaining, it should be those in my age group – the over-45s – who aren't catered for. The fact is there is plenty of variety for the younger ones if they can be bothered to look for it, instead of waiting for it to fall into their laps. But isn't that typical of the Peterborough mentality?

CHRIS LAWLER
Bradden Street,
Westwood,
Peterborough

Money should go to needy

OH dear, the Large Hadron Collider has broken down. Now we won't know how the universe began. That's a worry.

It's only been switched on for a couple of weeks – is it under guarantee?

Let's return it and get the £5 billion back and distribute the money to those who really need it – the sick, the old, the hungry and the homeless.

DAVID REID
Norburn,
Bretton,
Peterborough