A nightclub which had its licence suspended in the wake of a suspected murder will be allowed to open again with a Halloween party — but all those attending will be scanned for knives.

Andre Bent, 21, was fatally stabbed in Jubilee Square, Maidstone following a performance by rapper MoStack, real name Montell Daley, at the Gallery in Bank Street, Maidstone.

Thirteen people have since been arrested, including a 16-year-old boy who is accused of Mr Bent’s murder.

Kent Police applied to review the club’s premises licence, on the grounds of serious crime, which was suspended ahead of the formal hearing.

Superintendent Warren Franklin of Kent Police said in his initial application for a review: “The event was not subject of proper due diligence checks and a specific risk assessment was not in place. The premises failed to take reasonable steps to uphold objectives relating to crime and disorder and public safety.”

After a committee meeting this week, it was decided the Gallery could reopen providing it met some 22 agreed conditions.

Now the club has posted on its Facebook page: "Saturday 26th October we bring you the biggest party of the year. Halloween. Prizes on the night for best fancy dress."

Among the conditions for reopening was a requirement to install and maintain a knife arch and to ensure that all performers at the venue, and members of their entourage, are searched with a metal-detecting wand, while all customers will be body searched by a door supervisor of the same gender.

Bosses were also ordered to allow the use of a drug testing machine and swabbing, when deemed necessary by the police.

The verdict was made behind closed doors after members of the press and public were asked to leave, due to “the sensitive nature of this case”.

Despite several requests, the KM was not told the result of the meeting by the council until 24 hours later and was made to wait even longer for the list of agreed conditions.

Andre Bent’s family have signalled their approval of the decision.

Some relatives had previously signed a petition calling for the venue to be shut down permanently, but a statement posted on behalf of the family suggested no animosity towards the club or its workers.

It read: “After considering all the facts in fairness to all, my family have no problems with the license being reinstated as long as the rules of the license are adhered to.

“The staff at the Gallery nightclub have nothing whatsoever to do with any of this as they are just people trying to go to work and doing a job.”

Club director Trevor Modell, who previously announced he would be closing the venue and selling up following a large public backlash, refused to comment on the verdict.

'Murder' in Maidstone town centre

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