Martyn’s Law checklist for independent cinemas
A cinema's expected numbers are unusually knowable: fixed seating plus staff. That makes the capacity basis straightforward — and makes a clear evidence trail easy to keep.
Likely scope route
What to think about
- Total fixed seats across screens, plus staff, projection and café teams.
- Foyer queues and premiere nights can push numbers above the everyday figure.
- Late-night screenings may run with fewer staff — procedures should still work.
- Private hires and Q&A events bring organiser co-ordination into scope.
- Multiple screens emptying at once concentrates people in shared spaces.
Procedure focus
What evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication tend to hinge on in independent cinemas.
- Film-stop and house-lights-up steps agreed with projection
- A screen emptying into a full foyer: hold or redirect
- A calm on-screen message slide ready in every auditorium
- Late-night minimum staffing checked against procedure roles
Common evidence gaps
The process gaps venues in this sector most often need to close — each one fixable, and worth a dated record once it is.
- GapCapacity counted per screening, not all screens plus foyer at the clash
- GapNo quick way to stop the film and raise house lights on every screen
- GapLate-night shifts run with fewer people than the procedure needs
- GapYoung or part-time staff start work before any procedure briefing
- GapNo on-screen or walk-round fallback if the PA fails mid-screening
Also serving
Theatres
Entertainment and leisure as live-performance premises — a sold-out house plus cast, crew and front of house usually means standard tier at 200–799.
View checklist
Music venues
Entertainment and leisure — a sold-out headliner plus door, bar and touring crew sets the figure: 200–799 is standard tier, 800 or more enhanced.
View checklist
Not legal advice or a guarantee of compliance. Review and approve all documents before use.