Why 'operational readiness' beats box-ticking for Martyn's Law
Published
An industry piece argues that venues should treat Martyn's Law as a practical, day-to-day habit rather than a one-off paperwork exercise. Here's what that means while the duties wait to come into force.
What was said
Planning, Building & Construction Today published a piece on Martyn's Law that draws a line between simply meeting the letter of the rules and building real operational readiness. The core point is that preparing your people and your routines matters more than filing a document once and forgetting it. This is a commentary on approach, not a change to the law itself.
A reminder on where the law stands
Martyn's Law is the everyday name for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, which received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. The duties are not yet in force. Commencement is expected in spring 2027, with the exact date still to be confirmed. The SIA will be the regulator, and its notification process is not live yet. So there is time to prepare calmly.
What 'readiness' means for a venue
Standard tier covers premises where 200 to 799 people may reasonably be expected at once; enhanced tier is 800 or more, and both counts include staff. Readiness is about the everyday things: knowing your likely numbers, thinking through how staff would react, and making sensible plans part of normal working life. The message from the article is that habits and awareness outlast any single checklist.
What to do now
Estimate your busiest realistic headcount so you know which tier may apply. Talk your team through simple, practical steps and keep those conversations regular. Treat preparation as ongoing rather than a one-time task. None of this is required today, but building the habit early makes the eventual switch-over far easier.
This is our plain-English summary. Read the original in full at Planning, Building & Construction Today.