Hospitality in focus: how Martyn's Law will touch pubs, bars and restaurants

CLH News, a hospitality trade publication, has run an explainer on Martyn's Law and what it means for the sector. The piece walks operators through the basics of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, which received Royal Assent in April 2025. It is the kind of coverage that signals the industry is starting to pay attention ahead of the duties taking effect.

If your pub, bar, restaurant or function space can hold 200 or more people at the same time, you are likely to fall within scope. That count includes staff, not just customers. Premises expecting 200 to 799 people sit in the standard tier; those expecting 800 or more sit in the enhanced tier. Hospitality settings often see numbers rise and fall across the day, so it is worth thinking about your busiest realistic moment.

The duties are not enforceable yet. Commencement is expected in spring 2027, and the exact date has not been confirmed. The Security Industry Authority will be the regulator, but its notification process is not live at this stage. There is time to prepare calmly rather than rush.

Use this period to understand which tier you are likely to be in and who in your business would take the lead. Start thinking about simple, practical steps your team could take to be ready. Trade coverage like this is a useful starting point, but treat it as background reading rather than formal guidance, and read the source in full for the sector view.