What Martyn's Law will mean for pubs — a plain-English look ahead

The Morning Advertiser, a trade title for the pub sector, has published a rundown of the steps pubs are likely to take under Martyn's Law — the everyday name for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. It is a helpful sign that sector-specific coverage is starting to appear, aimed at landlords who want to understand what is coming.

Many pubs will fall into the standard tier, which covers premises where 200 to 799 people may reasonably be expected at the same time, counting staff. Larger sites hitting 800 or more sit in the enhanced tier. The Act received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025, but the duties are not enforceable yet. Commencement is expected in spring 2027, with the exact date still to be confirmed.

There is no deadline to meet today and no notification to file — the Security Industry Authority's process is not yet live. Use this time to work out roughly how many people your busiest sessions draw, and to think about simple, sensible steps your team could take. Familiarising yourself early makes the change far less daunting when the rules do begin.

Coverage like this is useful background, but it is not the law itself and not professional advice. When official guidance from the Home Office and the SIA is published, that will be the definitive source. Treat everything now as preparation and readiness, not a fixed set of requirements.