Beyond box-ticking: building Martyn's Law readiness into everyday venue life

Trade outlet fmj.co.uk has published a piece on how venues can approach Martyn's Law as more than a tick-box exercise. The core message is simple: treating preparation as a single form to complete misses the point. Good readiness is about people, habits and clear plans that hold up on a normal busy day. The article is comment and opinion, not new rules or official guidance.

Martyn's Law is the everyday name for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, which received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. It sets out a standard tier for premises where 200 to 799 people may be expected at once, and an enhanced tier for 800 or more, with staff counted in the total. The Security Industry Authority will regulate it. The duties are not yet in force — commencement is expected in spring 2027, with the exact date still to be confirmed.

The point worth taking away is that a checklist on its own does not keep people safer. What matters is whether your team actually knows what to do, whether your plans match how your space really works, and whether you review them when things change. A document filed away and forgotten is little use during a real incident. Preparation that lives in your routines is far more useful.

There is nothing to file or notify yet, so there is no need to rush. Use this time to familiarise yourself with the tiers and to think about how your premises operate at their busiest. Talk plans through with the people who actually work the doors, the bar or the event floor. Keep any notes simple and revisit them as your venue changes. None of this is a substitute for professional advice, and no preparation removes risk — but steady, practical work now will leave you in a stronger position before the duties begin.