A bar has installed new CCTV after reports people were being spiked with needles sparked a licence review by police.

The Pitcher & Piano in Tunbridge Wells, initially had its licence suspended in November for a week after the alleged incidents took place on Sunday, November 21.

Police confirmed seven customers became unwell between midnight and 3am with the victims suspecting their drinks had been tampered with, and on two occasions thought needles had been used to administer substances.

Two days later Kent Police requested a licence review for the bar and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) suspended its licence.

The club reopened on Thursday, December 9 after Marston’s, who own the Pitcher & Piano, introduced new measures to protect customers, including new CCTV, drink covers and more door staff.

On Monday a hearing was held by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s licensing committee, which decided to include the new protections as part of its licence.

Speaking at the hearing Kent Police Inspector Ian Jones said: “There has been an increased police presence in the town, the premise has been operating to its new conditions and there is new and improved CCTV.

“For the time being we are satisfied these measures are working because if you look at the incidents that are happening, yes there still are incidents, but not to put too fine a point on it, that’s what we consider to be the norm.

“I’m pleased to report we’ve not had any similar type incidents since.”

It was also revealed that the bar would limit its capacity to 499 customers to avoid asking for covid passports.

Representing Martson’s solicitor Michelle Hazelwood said the modifications would bring the licence into the 21st century.

She said: “This is being taken completely seriously. Marston’s have done their utmost working with the Police.

“We don’t see this as the end of the story, we see this as continuous learning, because this craze (drink spiking) isn’t going away, we’ve all got to work together.

“This has been a horrible scenario for those that felt like they’ve been spiked on those occasions, very horrific. The small positive is that the learning from this has been significant and the learning has gone through Marston’s.

“Cup covers are now being used in various sites where they felt there might be vulnerability. Out of something very negative there are some positives and we want to continue with those positives going forward.”