From the https://www.kentlive.news By Victoria Chessum, 2 September 2019.

Wetherspoons pubs in Maidstone vow to review security after fatal stabbing of Andre Bent, 21.

Meetings between partners are due to take place in regards to exactly what safety measures will be implemented.

A pub chain says plans are in place to bolster its security in Maidstone just days after a fatal stabbing took place.

Student Andre Bent, 21, from Lambeth in London, was stabbed to death in the High Street in the early hours of Sunday, August 25.

He had been out in the town celebrating a friend's birthday when the brawl broke out in the middle of the town centre.

The fight had erupted outside Gallery nightclub after rapper MoStack made an appearance.

Despite the club initially claiming it had checked its guests on entry to the nightspot, its boss Trevor Modell later apologised and admitted the club only searched "a few bags".

This has since sparked Wetherspoons to start talks about extra safety measures that are set to be put in place in the town's two branches.

Spoons, as it is known, has the "Muggleton Inn," in High Street and the "Society Rooms," in Week Street, both close to where the stabbing took place.

A spokesman for Wetherspoons said: “While we have not had any immediate issues ourselves, we are reviewing our operations at both the "Muggleton Inn" and the "Society Rooms," to ensure the continued safety of our staff and customers.

“Our two pubs, together with our door security partners, licensing officer and senior management, are liaising to see if there are opportunities to assist in making the pubs and town a safer place to socialise in.”