Martyn’s Law for pubs and bars: does it apply, and what to do

Does Martyn’s Law apply to pubs and bars?

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 covers premises used for a listed purpose, in this case premises selling food or drink for consumption on site, where it is reasonable to expect 200 or more people, including staff, to be present at the same time from time to time. Your premises licence or fire risk assessment states a maximum occupancy. Include staff. A pub with a 180-person bar and a 60-person function room is in scope because 240 people can be in the building at once.

Between 200 and 799 people means standard tier. From 800 upwards the premises are enhanced tier, with much heavier duties: documented procedures and public protection measures submitted to the SIA, and penalties up to £18 million. If you are near that line, record how you set your capacity figure.

Typical examples in scope:

• pubs
• bars
• social clubs
• sports bars
• wine bars
• pubs with function rooms

What you must do

The standard tier asks for three things, none of which cost money:

1. Notify the SIA. When the Act commences, expected spring 2027, the responsible person tells the Security Industry Authority they are responsible for the premises, through an online service the SIA is building. Nothing is submitted for approval.
2. Have four procedures in place, so far as reasonably practicable: evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication. The Act does not prescribe a document, but an inspector will ask to see what you have.
3. Make sure the people on duty know them. Staff, volunteers or hirers must be able to carry the procedures out quickly. A one-page briefing and a signed log is the practical way to show it.

There is no requirement for physical measures, security staff, CCTV or searches at the standard tier. The maximum penalty for non-compliance is £10,000.

What is different about pubs and bars

• Alcohol changes how people respond to instructions. Communication procedures should assume you will need to repeat yourself and use staff at doors, not just a shout from the bar.
• Shift patterns mean the responsible person is rarely on site. Every shift needs someone who knows the four procedures, and the briefing sheet should be part of induction.
• Beer gardens and smoking areas are part of the premises. Evacuation and invacuation need to cover people outside as well as inside.
• Late-night venues already have door staff. Fold them into the lockdown and communication procedures rather than writing something separate.

Five steps before spring 2027

1. Set your capacity figure: the most people, including staff, at your biggest regular event.
2. Name the responsible person and one day-to-day lead. Write both down.
3. Walk the building and decide three places: the outside assembly point, the safest room inside, and which doors can be locked.
4. Generate the procedures pack, correct anything that does not match the building, and print it.
5. Brief everyone on duty with the one-page sheet, log it, and put a review date in the diary.

Open the free generator with pub defaults .