Does it apply to my venue?
Martyn's Law covers premises with at least one building, including any land used with it, where 200 or more people may be present at the same time. For wedding and conference venues, count your largest regular events: guests, your staff, caterers, bar staff, band, photographers and other suppliers.
From 200 to 799 people you are in the standard tier. If your site regularly holds 800 or more at once, the enhanced tier applies, and we prepare that on a bespoke basis.
What you need to do
At standard tier: tell the SIA you are responsible for the premises, and have simple procedures for evacuation, bringing people inside, lockdown and communication, with staff who know them. You do not have to buy equipment or alter buildings.
- Keep one person in charge. Your venue manager stays in charge of these procedures during every event, whoever is running the wedding or conference.
- Plan for the whole site. Main building, marquees or barns, courtyards, gardens and car parks. Where do people go if the threat is outside? Which rooms are safer?
- Plan what you say. The band or DJ cuts the music, then a short instruction on the microphone or by voice. Agree this with suppliers in advance.
- Brief planners and suppliers. Send organisers, caterers and bands a one-page notice and ask them to sign it.
- Brief your own team, including casual event staff, with a prompt card and role cards.
Things venues often miss
- Remote sites and long driveways. Think about where the police will arrive and who meets them.
- Outside caterers and bar teams. They may not know your building. A notice and a quick briefing on arrival make the difference.
- Guests spread across the grounds. Drinks receptions on the lawn need a plan for bringing people inside quickly.
- People who need help. Older guests, children and anyone who has had too much to drink.
Common questions
Do suppliers and the band count towards 200?
Yes. Count everyone you reasonably expect on site at the same time: guests, your staff and suppliers.
Who is responsible during a wedding, us or the couple?
Usually whoever controls the premises, which is normally the venue. Your staff stay in charge of the procedures, and organisers and suppliers follow their instructions.
Do marquees count?
Martyn's Law covers premises with at least one building and the land used with it, so outside areas and marquees on your site should be part of your plan.
We host 900 for an annual show. Are we enhanced tier?
If you regularly expect 800 or more people at once, the enhanced tier may apply. Email us for a free consultation; we prepare enhanced tier work on a bespoke basis.
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.