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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?
The Act applies where three things line up: your premises are wholly or mainly used for one of the uses listed in Schedule 1 (such as village halls, community centres, churches, theatres, cinemas and gyms); it is reasonable to expect that 200 or more people may be present at the same time, counting staff and volunteers; and the premises are not excluded under Schedule 2. Below 200 the Act does not apply, but any venue can still choose to put simple procedures in place voluntarily — ProtectUK publishes free guidance, and VenueReady offers voluntary good-practice procedures for smaller venues.
Have outdoor space? It can matter either way.
The Act counts the most people who may be on your premises at the same time, staff and volunteers included — not just the people inside the building. Outdoor areas that form part of your premises count too, so a venue whose building holds 100 could reach 200 on a busy day.
But some open-air land is excluded altogether. A park, garden, recreation ground or similar open space used for leisure is outside the Act where nothing checks that visitors have paid, hold a ticket or pass, or are members or guests — and a gate or steward put on for one event doesn’t change that for the rest of the year. If your field is excluded land, only your building counts, and a building that holds under 200 may not be covered at all.
Which of these applies to a hall with an adjoining field depends on the facts and hasn’t been decided by the courts. Treat this as a reason to look carefully, or to take advice — not as an answer in either direction.
There is a ceiling as well as a floor.
If an event is expected to draw 800 or more people and there are checks that they have paid, hold a ticket or pass, or are members or guests of a club, that event is likely to be a qualifying event under section 3 of the Act, with 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, and offers voluntary procedures below 200. If an event on your site may reach 800, speak to a security consultant about it.
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.