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What is Martyn's Law?
Martyn's Law is the common name for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. It's a new law that requires venues and public spaces across the UK to put simple security measures in place, so that staff know what to do if there's a terrorist threat.
The law is named after Martyn Hett, who was 29 when he lost his life in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017. His mother, Figen Murray, campaigned tirelessly for years to make venues safer — and this law is the result.
Does my venue need to comply with Martyn's Law?
If your venue (inside and outside) can hold 200 or more people at any one time (including staff and volunteers), then yes — Martyn's Law applies to you. This includes community centres, village halls, churches, theatres, cinemas, gyms, and similar spaces. If your capacity is below 200, the law doesn't currently apply, but the Home Office encourages all public venues to have basic security procedures in place voluntarily.
Think your venue is under 200 capacity? 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.
One important caveat. The Act also excludes some open-air land. A park, garden, recreation ground or similar open space is generally outside the Act where nobody checks whether visitors have paid, hold a ticket or are members — and putting controls in place for a single event doesn’t change that for the rest of the year. Whether your field counts as part of your venue or as separate excluded land depends on the facts, so treat this as a reason to take advice rather than an answer.
There is a ceiling as well as a floor.
If an event on your premises is expected to draw 800 or more people and entry is controlled — tickets, invitations, passes or membership — that event is likely a qualifying event under the Act, not standard duty. Qualifying events carry heavier requirements, and the duty usually sits with whoever is running the event rather than with the venue. VenueReady covers standard duty premises from 200 to 799. If your fete, festival or hire day goes over 800, speak to a security consultant about that event.
Which venues are affected?
The 200-person threshold catches a much wider range of premises than many people realise. It's not just stadiums and arenas — it includes everyday businesses and community spaces across the UK. Here are the kinds of venues that fall within the standard tier (200–799 capacity):
Food & Drink
Large pubs, public houses, restaurants, bars, cocktail bars, nightclubs, and hotel bars — any licensed premises where the combined indoor capacity reaches 200.
Retail & Shopping
Large supermarkets, department stores, big-box retail stores, indoor shopping arcades, and large garden centres with indoor showroom areas.
Health & Fitness
Gyms, fitness centres, leisure centres, swimming pools with spectator areas, indoor sports halls, and large yoga or dance studios.
Entertainment & Leisure
Cinemas, theatres, bowling alleys, bingo halls, snooker halls, amusement arcades, escape room complexes, and soft play centres.
Community & Faith
Village halls, community centres, churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, gurdwaras, and other places of worship with 200+ capacity.
Events & Hospitality
Wedding venues, conference centres, banqueting suites, function rooms, hotel event spaces, and exhibition halls.
Culture & Heritage
Museums, art galleries, visitor attractions, historic houses open to the public, and science centres.
Music & Nightlife
Live music venues, comedy clubs, cabaret venues, student union bars, and social or working men's clubs.
Education & Public Sector
Public libraries with event spaces, and civic or town halls used for public events — where a public authority provides them, the authority is the responsible person. Note that schools, colleges and further education institutions stay standard duty whatever their size, while universities and other higher education institutions follow the ordinary 800 threshold.
Transport & Travel
Airport departure lounges, large railway station concourses, ferry terminals, and coach station waiting areas.
If you're unsure whether your venue reaches 200, count the maximum number of people — staff, customers, visitors, and anyone on your surrounding land or outdoor space — who could be present at the same time. That's your capacity for the purposes of the Act. When in doubt, err on the side of compliance.
Where can I find the official guidance?
The Home Office has published detailed statutory guidance under Section 27 of the Act (April 2026 edition). This is the official government document that explains exactly what's required. You can download it from gov.uk. We also provide a copy on your dashboard when you sign up.
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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.