Martyn’s Law is a new piece of UK legislation coming into place in April 2027, which is designed to help keep people safer in public places. Whether it’s at musical venues, in the hospitality sector or any location that holds a capacity of 200+.
For many businesses, venues and organisations, Martyn’s Law marks an important shift towards clearer responsibilities, better preparedness and a stronger duty of care for people who use their spaces.
This guide for businesses will explain what Martyn’s Law is, what it means for businesses, who it protects and how you can start thinking about preparedness in a practical way.
What is Martyn’s Law, and why does it exist?
Martyn’s Law, also known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act, was introduced following the tragic Manchester Arena attack in 2017, and the campaigning work of Figen Murray, Martyn Hett’s mother. Public inquiries and investigations found that if there had been clearer procedures, better awareness and preparedness for emergency situations, it could have reduced harm and saved lives.
Rather than focusing on physical security measures, Martyn’s Law emphasises the importance of:
- Awareness
- Preparedness
- Better planning
- Clear procedures
Martyn's Law will help businesses and venues understand that having physical security changes isn’t the only important factor in protecting people, but making sure staff are better prepared in emergencies, making a real difference.
Also, based on your organisation's capacity, there will be different requirements for you to take. As Martyn's Law is split between Standard and Enhanced Tier, the Standard Tier is for organisations that have a capacity of 200-799 people, whereas the Enhanced Tier is for organisations that have 800+ people at one time. This is because those places that have higher capacity have higher footfall and require more advanced security measures to ensure safety.
Who is Martyn’s Law designed to protect?
At its heart, Martyn’s Law is about protecting people. Including:
- Members of the public
- Employees
- Volunteers
- Visitors
- Customers
- Attendees
It applies to venues, events, businesses and publicly accessible spaces, which also depend on how many people may be present at once. For example, this includes places like:
- Shopping centres
- Hospitality venues (restaurants, pubs, hotels)
- Entertainment venues and attractions (stadiums, arenas, festivals, theme parks)
- Places of worship
- Sporting venues
- Community centres (depending on size)
Not every business will be affected, and not every venue will have the same responsibility. The expectations of Martyn’s Law are proportionate to the size and capacity of the venue.
Timeline: from Royal Assent to Implementation
In April 2025, Martyn’s Law received Royal Assent, meaning it is now a law. But it’s not enforceable yet, and there has been a 24-month implementation period, with the intention of giving businesses enough time to:
- Understand what tier they fall under
- Access official guidelines
- Review their existing procedures
- Put plans into place
During this period, enforcement is not expected until 2027, allowing businesses to use this time efficiently to ensure they are fully prepared and are in compliance.
What does "reasonably practicable" really mean?
One of the most important, and often misunderstood, phrases in Martyn’s Law is “reasonably practicable”. In the simplest way, it means whatever is proportionate, realistic and sensible for your specific venue, activities and resources.
Remember: Martyn’s Law is not a one-size-fits-all.
What may work for a restaurant or party venue will look very different to what is reasonable for a large event or shopping centre. This is why Martyn’s Law allows businesses to take their own circumstances into account.
For some organisations, “reasonably practical” is more procedural, such as:
- Knowing what to do when a serious incident occurs
- Having clear evacuation and lockdown procedures
- Ensuring staff know how to respond to emergencies
- Being confident in recognising suspicious behaviours
The focus is on being ready and prepared.
How preparedness fits into the wider duty of care
Most organisations in the UK already have a legal and moral duty of care to the people who visit their venues. This includes:
- Health, safety and welfare of the working environment
- Absence of risks to health and safety
- Major incidents
- Fire safety
And Martyn’s Law will sit alongside these legal responsibilities, as preparedness is about:
- Thinking ahead
- Helping people act quickly and calmly
- Reducing confusion and panic in a crisis
- Supporting emergency services
Preparedness is also about supporting staff confidence and ensuring that they know what to look out for, how to report any suspicious concerns and how to act in an emergency. If staff are well-trained and prepared, they’re more likely to respond effectively under pressure. Because at the core of preparedness is giving people the knowledge and confidence to act when seconds matter.
What businesses should take away
The introduction of Martyn’s Law is not about fear or blame, but about creating safer public spaces through planning, preparedness and taking action. By enforcing new safety measures, businesses can ensure they have created a safer environment. And can move forward with confidence and a focus on what matters most: keeping people safe.
FAQs
What is Martyn's Law?
Martyn's Law is a new legislation coming into force that is designed to improve public safety and reduce harm. This is done by having certain organisations, venues, and public spaces take proportionate steps to prepare for and respond to terrorist incidents.
When does Martyn's Law come into force?
Martyn's Law received Royal Assent in April 2025 and has been given a 24-month implementation period, which is expected to come into enforcement in 2027.
Does Martyn's Law require physical security measures?
Not necessarily. Security measures will need to be part of an organisation's approach if they are under the Enhanced Tier - read more about that here.
The core of Martyn's Law is based on awareness, preparedness, planning and clear procedures.
What should businesses do now to prepare for Martyn's Law?
Businesses can use the implementation period to review their current emergency plans and identify any gaps or improvements that can be made. It will also give organisations enough time to understand what tier they fall under and what they can do to help better prepare themselves.
Who does Martyn's Law aim to protect?
The new legislation is designed to protect everyone who uses public spaces, including staff, volunteers, customers, visitors, and members of the public.
Is Martyn's Law only relevant to large venues?
No. While the requirements vary depending on what tier an organisation falls under, the expectation of improving preparedness is important for organisations of all sizes.
Recommended reading
Further reading
- Why First Aid Training matters under Martyn's Law
- Understanding Martyn's Law for retailers and shopping centres
- Understanding Martyn's Law for the hospitality sector
- Understanding Martyn's Law for education, healthcare and places of worship
- Understanding Martyn's Law for events, festivals and temporary venues
