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Standard Tier vs Enhanced Tier
Martyn's Law splits venues and events into two levels — standard tier and enhanced tier — the Act itself calls them standard duty and enhanced duty premises. Which one applies usually turns on how many people it is reasonable to expect may be present at the same time, but not always: Schedule 1 makes places of worship, registered childcare, schools and further education colleges standard duty whatever their size. Higher education institutions are not in that group and follow the ordinary threshold.
Standard tier (capacity 200–799)
This is where most community venues, village halls, small theatres, independent cinemas, large pubs and restaurants, gyms and leisure centres, bowling alleys and bingo halls, and wedding and conference venues sit. If your venue falls into this category, you'll need to:
- Have the necessary written procedures in place.
- Name a responsible person.
- Make sure your team knows what to do.
- Keep a simple record of your briefings.
- Review your procedures regularly.
- Register with the SIA when the scheme opens.
The requirements are designed to be proportionate and practical. The government has said repeatedly that standard-tier venues don't need to spend large sums or hire security consultants — it's about having a sensible plan and making sure people know it.
Enhanced tier (capacity 800+)
Enhanced tier applies to larger venues — big theatres, concert halls, major sports grounds, and large shopping centres. Enhanced-tier premises face additional requirements, including:
- All the standard-tier requirements, plus:
- A more detailed terrorism risk assessment.
- A written security plan covering physical security measures.
- Additional staff training requirements.
- More frequent reviews.
VenueReady is built exclusively for standard-tier venues (200–799 capacity) and is not suitable for enhanced-tier premises. If your venue has a capacity of 800 or more, the enhanced tier imposes significantly greater obligations — including formal risk assessments, detailed security plans, and higher scrutiny from the SIA. For enhanced-tier premises, you should engage a security professional with demonstrable counter-terrorism protective security experience. The enhanced duty requires assessing your vulnerability to terrorism, putting public protection measures in place and producing a document for the SIA — work that needs professional judgement about your specific premises. Note that an SIA licence permits specified frontline security activities and is not, by itself, evidence of competence to advise on counter-terrorism planning. Free protective security advice is also available from police Counter Terrorism Security Advisers. An automated tool like VenueReady is not appropriate for premises of that scale or complexity.
What about venues under 200 capacity?
Think your venue is under 200? Check again, you could be wrong.
Your building might only hold 100 people, but under the Act your "premises" includes your field, garden, car park and surrounding land. If your Summer Fete, Bonfire Night, wedding reception hire or outdoor bar draws 200+ people collectively (indoor and out, staff and volunteers count), you're likely in scope, even if the building never holds more than 100.
The test isn't your indoor capacity. It's whether 200+ people may be present anywhere on your premises at any one time. An annual fete counts, outdoor weddings count, any outdoor event hires with extended land count.
Venues with a capacity below 200 are not currently covered by the Act — but the Home Office recommends that all public venues consider putting basic security procedures in place voluntarily. It's good practice and helps keep everyone safe.
Not sure which tier you're in?
Your capacity is the maximum number of people who can be on the premises at one time — including staff, volunteers, the public, and anyone on your surrounding land, car park, garden or fields. If you're not sure, check your fire risk assessment, your premises licence, or your insurance documents. The official statutory guidance on gov.uk also has detailed definitions.
Standard tier? Let's get your plan sorted
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Enforcement under the Act is expected from April 2027. This page summarises the Section 27 statutory guidance published by the Home Office (April 2026). Always refer to the official guidance on gov.uk for the authoritative text.