‘Making events safer, not shutting them down’: the message for festival organisers

An event industry outlet, Festival Insights, has been reporting on how Martyn's Law is being received across the sector. The central point is a reassuring one: the law is about making events safer, not about stopping them from happening. This reflects a wider conversation among festival and event professionals as they get to grips with what the new rules will ask of them.

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent in April 2025, but its duties are not yet in force. Commencement is expected in spring 2027, with the exact date still to be confirmed. When it does start, premises and events expecting 200 to 799 people at once will sit in the standard tier, and those expecting 800 or more in the enhanced tier. The count includes staff, so festivals and large gatherings will often fall within scope.

The framing here is helpful for organisers who worry the law will make events harder to run. The aim is straightforward, practical planning: thinking through how people arrive, move around and leave, and having sensible steps in place should something go wrong. It is not a barrier to putting on events, and it is not enforceable yet.

There is no need to rush or panic. Use the time before commencement to get familiar with the two tiers and roughly estimate how many people your events attract at peak. Talk to your team about how you would respond in an emergency. Starting these conversations early means you'll be ready and confident well before the duties begin.