Does it apply to my hotel?
Martyn's Law covers premises with at least one building where 200 or more people may be present at the same time, from time to time, for uses such as accommodation, food and drink, and events. For most hotels the question is your peak: a wedding or conference in the function suite, a full restaurant and a busy bar at the same time. Count guests, visitors, event attendees and staff on site at that moment.
Hotels often have several uses on the Schedule 1 list: rooms, a bar, a restaurant and event space. The Principal Use of Premises Regulations 2026 say the main use is the one that best fits what the premises are and were built or adapted for. If that is unclear, look at how much space and time each use takes up and whether one use supports another. Write down how you decided.
From 200 to 799 people you are in the standard tier. At 800 or more, the enhanced tier applies, with extra security measures and a written document for the SIA: we prepare those on a bespoke basis.
What you need to do
At standard tier: notify the SIA that you are responsible for the premises, and have public protection procedures for evacuation, invacuation (bringing people inside), lockdown and communication, so far as is reasonably practicable, with staff who know them.
- Name the person in charge on every shift, including nights, when the duty manager may be the only senior person in the building.
- Plan evacuation from public areas and function rooms, and how you tell guests in their rooms.
- Pick safer areas inside, away from glass frontages and the main entrance, such as an inner function room or back-of-house corridor.
- Plan lockdown for reception, side entrances, terraces and car park doors, and who holds the keys and door controls.
- Agree what you say on the PA, at reception and to event organisers, and a discreet alert for staff.
- Brief staff and event organisers, including agency and banqueting staff, and give hirers a short notice to read.
Things hotels often miss
- Events change your numbers. A wedding or conference can double the people on site. Plan for your busiest regular events.
- Agency and casual staff. Banqueting teams change from event to event. A short prompt card and a role card for each job make the plan work on the night.
- Event organisers and hirers. Your staff stay in charge of the procedures. Tell organisers before the event, and ask them to brief their own team.
- Use what you already have. CCTV, door access control, a PA and radios can all help.
Common questions
Do hotel guests in their rooms count?
Count everyone you reasonably expect on the premises at the same time at your busiest regular times, including guests, diners, event attendees and staff. If that can reach 200, the standard tier applies.
We host weddings for 300. Is that enhanced tier?
Not on its own. The enhanced tier starts at 800 people at once. A venue that regularly holds 300 is standard tier.
Do we need to change our building?
No. At standard tier you do not have to alter the building or buy equipment, but your plan should use what you already have, such as lockable doors and CCTV.
Who is responsible if an outside organiser runs the event?
Usually whoever controls the premises, which for most hotels is the hotel company. Make sure organisers know your procedures and follow your staff's instructions.
Get your procedures in place
Check your venue in two minutes with our free scope checker. Then answer plain-English questions in the Procedures Generator and get your procedures, staff and role cards, hirer notice and records written for you. One-off price, no subscription, and free updates until 12 months after the law comes into force. Produced by the team at 14twenty Productions, with over ten years running live events.
Sources: Home Office, Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 statutory guidance (April 2026); ProtectUK. For the full picture, read Martyn's Law explained. This page is general information, not legal advice, and is not endorsed by the Home Office or the SIA. Last reviewed 23 October 2026.