What Martyn's Law actually is
Martyn's Law is the common name for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, named after Martyn Hett, who was killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack. It received Royal Assent in April 2025 and grew out of recommendations from the Manchester Arena Inquiry. In plain terms, it requires those responsible for certain public premises and events to put basic terrorism-preparedness measures in place, so staff know what to do and people are better protected if the worst happens nearby or on site.
Is it in force yet?
No, not yet. The government committed to an implementation period of at least 24 months from Royal Assent before the duties become legally enforceable, which points to roughly April 2027. Statutory guidance was published in April 2026, so the detail is settled enough to start planning against, even though there's no penalty yet for not complying. Venues that wait until the deadline tend to scramble; the venues that start now just fold it into what they're already doing.
Does it apply to your venue?
Scope comes down to how many people it's reasonable to expect on the premises at the same time, not your average night. There are two tiers:
| Tier | Capacity | What's required |
|---|---|---|
| Standard tier | 200-799 people | Register with the SIA. Have simple, low-cost public protection procedures in place, such as evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication plans. |
| Enhanced tier | 800+ people, or a qualifying event | Everything in the standard tier, plus a documented risk assessment and physical security measures, submitted to the SIA. |
A busy independent pub, small restaurant or café often sits well under 200 and falls outside scope entirely. Function rooms, larger bars, event spaces and multi-room venues are more likely to be in the standard tier, and it's worth checking properly rather than guessing, since "reasonable to expect" is about capacity, not a typical Tuesday. The official ProtectUK scope guidance has decision trees to work this out for your specific premises.
Where first aid fits in
Martyn's Law doesn't name first aid training as a mandatory line item. Its core requirement is having "appropriate public protection procedures", evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication, in place so far as reasonably practicable. But every piece of official preparedness guidance built around the Act points in the same direction: knowing how to respond to a casualty, and having basic trauma or bleed control awareness in the room, is one of the simplest, lowest-cost, most practical steps a venue can take. It sits comfortably inside "reasonably practicable" for a standard-tier premises, and it's the kind of thing you can point to as evidence you've taken preparedness seriously.
Practical next steps for hospitality venues
Before April 2027
- Check your tier using the official ProtectUK scope tool, based on realistic maximum capacity, not average footfall
- Write down your evacuation, invacuation and lockdown plans, even in simple form, so staff know the difference and when to use each
- Make sure someone on every shift has first aid training, not just during your busiest hours
- Register with the SIA once you've confirmed you're in scope (this isn't optional once the Act is in force)
- Revisit it as guidance develops, since detail is still being refined during the implementation period
Frequently asked questions
Is Martyn's Law in force yet?
Not yet. The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent in April 2025, with an implementation period of at least 24 months before the duties become enforceable, widely expected to land around April 2027. Statutory guidance has already been published, so venues in scope can and should start preparing now.
Does Martyn's Law apply to my pub, bar or restaurant?
It applies if it's reasonable to expect 200 or more people on the premises at the same time (the standard tier), or 800 or more (the enhanced tier). Many independent venues fall under that threshold, but busy pubs, event spaces, function rooms and larger restaurants often don't. Check your premises against the official ProtectUK scope guidance to be sure.
Does Martyn's Law require first aid training specifically?
The Act itself doesn't name first aid as a mandatory line item, its core requirement is having appropriate public protection procedures, such as evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication plans, in place. But official preparedness guidance consistently highlights first aid training and bleed control awareness as one of the simple, low-cost, practical steps venues can point to when demonstrating they've done what's reasonably practicable.