Guide · Updated 6 November 2026
Does Martyn's Law apply to my pub or restaurant?
Short answer: if you can reasonably expect 200 or more people on your premises at the same time, Martyn's Law will apply to you once it comes into force, which the Home Office expects in spring 2027.
What is Martyn's Law?
Martyn's Law is the common name for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. It became law on 3 April 2025 and is named after Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack. It requires certain premises and events to be prepared for a terrorist attack, so that staff know how to keep people safe.
How to work out your number
The test is how many people you can reasonably expect at the same time, at least occasionally. It is not about your licence type or how many seats you have. Count:
- customers on your busiest regular night (a Friday, a match day, a live music night)
- everyone in function rooms, beer gardens, smoking areas and queues that you control
- staff and other workers on shift at that time
Your premises licence or fire risk assessment is a sensible starting point. Many pubs and restaurants that think of themselves as small pass 200 on a busy night.
Which tier are you in?
Under 200
Not in scope
No duty under the Act.
200 to 799
Standard Tier
Most pubs, restaurants and halls that are in scope.
800 or more
Enhanced Tier
Larger venues, with extra duties.
Some premises, such as places of worship and schools, stay in the Standard Tier even if they hold 800 or more.
What the Standard Tier asks of you
The Standard Tier is about procedures, not equipment. You do not have to install physical security measures. You must:
- Notify the Security Industry Authority (SIA) that you are responsible for qualifying premises. Venues will have three months from the start date to do this, through an online system the SIA will open nearer the time.
- Have public protection procedures that staff could follow in an attack, so far as is reasonably practicable: evacuation, invacuation (bringing people inside to safety), lockdown, and communicating with people on site.
- Co-ordinate with anyone else responsible for the building, if you share it.
The SIA has said it will take a support-first approach, but it can issue penalties of up to £10,000 to Standard Tier venues that don't comply.
Who is responsible? Usually whoever controls the premises: the owner, the tenant or the licensee. If you rent or run a managed or tenanted pub, check with the pub company who is taking the lead.
What should I do now?
Work out your number, then get your procedures written before the law starts so your team has time to learn them. You can use our Standard Tier checklist to do it yourself, or let us write the whole pack for you.
This guide is general information based on the Act and the Home Office statutory guidance, not legal advice. Official sources: the Act on legislation.gov.uk and the Home Office collection on GOV.UK.