A bar which was forced to temporarily close after reports multiple people were spiked with needles reopened yesterday evening with "enhanced" security measures.

The Pitcher & Piano in Tunbridge Wells had its licence suspended at the end of November for a week, with the club deciding to close for the same period, after the alleged incidents on Sunday, November 21.

Police confirmed seven customers became unwell between midnight and 3am at the bar in Church Road, with some claiming they "blacked out" for hours.

The victims, in their late teens and 20s, suspect their drinks were tampered with and, in two instances, thought needles were used to administer substances.

On Tuesday, November 23, police requested that Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s (TWBC) licensing committee review the licence of the bar, in Church Road.

The force's application raised concerns about the management of the venue and existing security measures.

A day later the local authority issued a suspension of licensed activities for the premises until Wednesday, Decemeber 1.

'Your safety has always been our number one priority...'

Now, a fortnight after the incidents they reopened last night with new measures to help protect clubbers.

A Pitcher & Piano spokesman said: "As you may be aware, we recently closed our much loved Tunbridge Wells bar to investigate a report of needle spiking.

"We have been working very closely with the police and the council to ensure that we have even more measures in place to protect our guests.

"This includes a more thorough search policy, drink toppers available for all guests and enhanced security.

"We continue to back the "Ask Angela" campaign in all bars and have supported this with increased training for our teams.

"Your safety has always been our number one priority and we believe this is a small number of people ruining the fun for the majority.

"We are looking forward to re-opening to the public this evening and would ask all guests at P&P and across the area to call out any suspicious behaviours in the knowledge you are supported fully by our team and the wider Tunbridge Wells community.

"Thank you for your support and see you soon."

No further offences were reported on the night against the victims, and none of the complainants witnessed or recovered needles.

An investigation is underway into the allegations and officers are working with the venue while carrying out inquiries into the circumstances, including a review of CCTV footage.

One victim took to social media to warn others about the incident, saying: "I was spiked via an injection at Pitcher & Piano in Tunbridge Wells. I blacked out for around four to five hours and have limited memory of what happened.

"After going to the police in the morning it came to light that two others girls had also been injected on the same night in the same venue.

"You'd never think this sort of thing would happen in your home town, especially to a bloke so just keep an eye on your mates if they start acting different in anyway."