Even relatively new restaurants that have opened in the last two years report steady trade.

Question marks over the future of several nightspots in the city have raised questions about the state of Peterborough's night economy.

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In recent weeks The Evening Telegraph revealed that popular watering hole the Old Still, in Westgate Arcade, had shut until further notice.

The future of three venues also hangs in the balance.

Planning applications, to convert them in to homes, have gone in for nightspots Bogart's and Pussy Galores, both in North Street, and Faith, in Geneva Street.

Chairman of Centre Safe and owner of the Park nightclub Del Singh said a number of factors were behind the downturn for clubs, including the smoking ban, extending opening hours, high business rates and a perception that the city was a dangerous place at night.

Former club owner and city councillor Wayne Fitzgerald also fears the worst.

He said: "My feelings about Peterborough as a city is it's in danger of becoming a ghost town at night.

"There has been a decrease in the number of visitors in the city.

"It's the economic situation, people feel less safe, people go out of town more."

It is not a view shared by restaurant bosses.

Imperial Bento, in Broadway, can seat more than 300 diners. The restaurant which opened last February is very popular, especially at weekends.

Manager Kam Wan said: "In our capacity, business has been quite encouraging.

"Even though Peterborough is not a tourist centre, people do still come here, for business, for example.

"There are times when things are a bit slow but that often has to do with the weather, but mostly we are very busy."

He dismisses the idea that the city is not a safe place.

He said: "I have worked in other cities and have friends who work elsewhere and I would say people in Peterborough are very very good.

"We never have any trouble where we are. To say the city is not a safe place is nonsense."

Prezzo, which opened two years ago, appears busy both lunchtime and evenings.

Pizza Express, which opened early this year, said it is welcoming more than 2,000 customers a week.

Owner of Royal Spice, in Park Road, Zillur Hussain, too, believes Peterborough is still in good shape.

And he has put his money where his mouth is by investing in Toho's, in New Road, the Chinese restaurant which he now co-owns.

He said: "Royal Spice is doing fantastic business and has done, all the way through.

"Sometimes, we don't have any seats left.

"I took over at Toho's and plan to spend nearly £1 million refurbishing it."

Leader of Peterborough City Council John Peach said the new restaurants that had opened were a "quality addition" to the city and more would open when improvements to Cathedral Square were complete.

He said: "Although some night clubs have closed this seems more to do with the changes to licensing and pub opening times introduced by the Government."