Arts Council of Wales Backs Martyn's Law Readiness Training for Venues

The Arts Council of Wales has set up a training programme to help the arts sector prepare for Martyn's Law, the everyday name for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. The Act received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. Its duties are not yet in force. Commencement is expected in spring 2027, with the exact date still to be confirmed. This programme is about helping venues familiarise themselves and prepare in good time.

If you run a theatre, gallery, arts centre, concert hall or a space that hosts events, this is a sign that support is starting to appear. The law uses headcount to decide which tier a premises falls into. Standard tier covers places where 200 to 799 people may reasonably be expected at the same time. Enhanced tier is 800 or more. That count includes staff. Sector-led training can make the ideas clearer, but no course or tool is endorsed or approved by the Home Office or the regulator, and training is not itself a legal requirement under the Act.

There is no need to rush, but it helps to start. Work out roughly how many people your busiest events draw, including staff, so you know which tier is likely to apply. Keep an eye out for training or briefings from your own sector body if you are outside Wales. Use this time to build familiarity, not to react to a deadline.

The Security Industry Authority will be the regulator, and its notification process is not yet live. Nothing is enforceable today. Treat programmes like this one as an early chance to understand the direction of travel and prepare calmly ahead of spring 2027.