Does it apply to my venue?
Martyn's Law applies to premises with at least one building, used for purposes such as entertainment, food and drink, where 200 or more people may be present at the same time, from time to time. Music venues are on the list. Count your busiest regular nights: the audience, the band and their crew, your door, bar and floor staff, and anyone working the merch desk.
From 200 to 799 people you are in the standard tier, which is where most independent and grassroots venues sit. At 800 or more the enhanced tier applies, with extra measures and a written document for the SIA. The duty sits with whoever controls the premises, so gigs in your room are run under your venue’s procedures, including nights you hire out to a promoter.
What you need to do
At standard tier there are two duties: notify the Security Industry Authority (SIA), and have simple public protection procedures that your staff know, so far as is reasonably practicable. You do not have to buy equipment, alter the building or pay for training.
- Decide who calls it. Usually the duty manager, with the head of security as back-up. Agree it before doors, every night.
- Plan for a threat inside. How you stop the show and get people out by the nearest safe exits, and which exits those are when the room is rammed.
- Plan for a threat outside. How door staff bring the queue and the smokers in, which doors you close, and where people go: rooms and corridors away from the street.
- Plan a lockdown. Which doors, shutters and the stage door you lock, and who holds the keys on show nights.
- Plan what you say. Kill the music, bring the house lights up, and give one short, calm instruction from the stage mic. Agree a code word for the radio.
- Brief your team, including casuals. Bar, door and floor staff change from gig to gig. A short briefing everyone can do on their phone, and a record of who has done it, keeps you covered.
Things music venues often miss
- The queue before doors. A crowd on the pavement is often the most exposed group of the night. Your plan for bringing people inside matters most here.
- Visiting bands, crews and promoters. They don’t know your building. Give tour managers and promoters a short notice with your exits, safer areas and who is in charge.
- The stage mic is your best tool. Agree who can stop a show and what the band should do if they are asked to.
- Sold-out nights set your number. Plan for your busiest regular show, not a quiet Tuesday.
Common questions
Does Martyn's Law apply to a 250-capacity music venue?
If 200 or more people, including the band, crew and staff, may be there at the same time on your busiest regular nights, yes, at standard tier.
Who is responsible when a promoter hires the venue?
The duty sits with the person who controls the premises, which is usually the venue operator. Agree with the promoter how the procedures run on the night, and give them a hirer notice.
Do we need extra security or bag searches?
Not at standard tier. There is nothing you have to buy or hire. If you already have door staff, your procedures should use them.
When does it start?
The duties are expected to start from spring 2027 at the earliest. The government will confirm the date.
Get your procedures and your team sorted
Check your venue in two minutes with our free scope checker. Then answer plain-English questions and get your procedures, staff and role cards, hirer notice and records, plus a QR poster that briefs your staff on their phones in three minutes, with 15 staff places included. £129 one-off, or £349 for up to three venues. Built by event producers with over ten years running live music and festivals.
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.