Posted by Mike Isherwood on 9th Aug 2025

Standard vs Enhanced Tier: Which Martyn's Law Category Applies to Your Venue?

Published: 13/08/25 | Reading time: 10 minutes | Author: Mike Isherwood

Getting your Martyn's Law tier classification wrong could be the difference between a £10,000 fine and an £18 million penalty – plus potential venue closure. With over 280,000 UK venues affected by this legislation, understanding your exact requirements isn't just important, it's business-critical.

Last week, we introduced Martyn's Law and its broad impact. This week, we're diving deep into the two-tier system that determines your specific obligations. Whether you're running a small restaurant or managing a major shopping center, this guide will help you calculate your requirements correctly.

The Foundation: Understanding Capacity Calculation

Before we explore the tiers, you need to master the fundamental calculation that determines everything else: reasonable expected capacity.

This isn't about:

❌ Fire regulation occupancy limits
❌ Licensed premises capacity
❌ Ticketed event numbers
❌ Building design capacity

It is about: The maximum number of people (staff + visitors) you can reasonably expect to be present at the same time during normal operations.

Real-World Calculation Examples

Restaurant Example:

120 customer seats
15 staff members (kitchen, front of house, management)
Total capacity: 135 people (below 200 threshold - no Martyn's Law requirements)

Retail Store Example:

180 customer shopping area capacity
25 staff members (sales, stockroom, security, management)
Total capacity: 205 people (Standard Tier requirements apply)

University Lecture Hall Example:

400 student seats
5 academic/support staff
Total capacity: 405 people (Standard Tier - schools are always Standard regardless of size)

Shopping Center Example:

1,200 visitor capacity across all stores
150 staff across all retailers and management
Total capacity: 1,350 people (Enhanced Tier requirements apply)

Standard Tier: 200-799 People

278,880 venues across the UK fall into this category, making it by far the most common classification.

Who's Included?

65% Retail & Hospitality: Restaurants, pubs, shops, cafes, small shopping areas
16% Places of Worship: Churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, community centers
11% Educational: Schools, colleges, training centers, libraries
8% Other: Leisure centers, clinics, community halls, small offices with public access

Standard Tier Requirements

Good news for Standard Tier venues: No physical alterations are mandated, but you must implement robust procedures.

1. Registration Requirement

Register with the SIA (Security Industry Authority) as the responsible person
Provide venue details, capacity calculations, and contact information
Maintain current registration throughout operation

2. Four Essential Protection Procedures

Evacuation Procedures:

Clear routes to exits during emergencies
Staff assignments for guiding people safely
Alternative routes if primary exits are blocked
Special provisions for disabled visitors
Regular drill schedules and staff training

Invacuation Procedures:

Moving people to safer areas within the building
Identifying secure internal spaces (away from windows/entrances)
Communication protocols during invacuation
Staff roles in directing and managing people
Integration with existing fire/emergency procedures

Lockdown Procedures:

Securing all entrances and exits quickly
Locking internal doors and closing blinds
Turning off lights to reduce visibility
Staff communication during lockdown
Decision-making protocols for ending lockdown

Communication Procedures:

Staff-to-staff alert systems
Staff-to-public information sharing
External communication with emergency services
Backup communication methods
Clear, calm messaging during incidents

3. Staff Awareness Requirements

All staff must understand procedures and their specific roles
Regular training sessions and updates
New employee onboarding includes Martyn's Law procedures
Documentation of training completion
Refresher training at least annually

Technology Options for Standard Tier

While not required, many Standard Tier venues choose technology solutions to enhance their procedures:

Basic CCTV systems for situational awareness
Two-way radio systems for staff communication
Simple access control for managing entry points
Public address systems for clear announcements
Panic button systems for discrete emergency alerts

Enhanced Tier: 800+ People

Enhanced Tier venues face significantly more complex requirements, reflecting the higher potential impact of incidents at larger venues.

Who's Included?

Major entertainment venues: Theaters, cinemas, concert halls, nightclubs
Large sports facilities: Stadiums, leisure complexes, major gyms
Significant retail centers: Shopping malls, large department stores
Major hospitality: Large hotels, conference centers, exhibition halls
Large educational: Universities, large colleges (still Standard Tier for compliance purposes)

Enhanced Tier Requirements

Enhanced Tier venues must implement everything from Standard Tier PLUS these additional requirements:

1. Designated Senior Individual (DSI)

Director or partner-level person responsible for compliance
Cannot be delegated to lower-level employees
Personal accountability for venue compliance
Regular review and approval of procedures
Authority to make security-related decisions

2. Public Protection Measures

Monitoring Measures:

CCTV surveillance covering all entrances, exits, and key areas
Real-time monitoring capabilities
Recording systems with appropriate storage
Professional monitoring during operating hours
Integration with other security systems

Movement Control Measures:

Access control systems managing entry/exit points
Crowd flow management during peak periods
Queue management systems for orderly movement
Emergency exit management with controlled access
Vehicle access control for larger venues

Physical Safety Measures:

Barriers and bollards protecting against vehicle attacks
Safety glass in vulnerable areas
Blast-resistant features where appropriate
Secure areas for emergency shelter
Physical screening capabilities if needed

Information Security Measures:

Protecting sensitive security information
Secure communications between security personnel
Controlled access to security systems
Data protection for surveillance footage
Incident reporting systems

3. Comprehensive Documentation

Detailed compliance report covering all measures
Risk assessment specific to the venue
Procedure documentation with clear responsibilities
Staff training records and competency evidence
Submit to SIA within 30 days of implementation
Regular updates as circumstances change

Special Cases: Important Exceptions

Several venue types have specific rules that override the standard capacity-based classification:

Places of Worship

Always Standard Tier regardless of capacity
Exception: If charging admission for events, normal tier rules apply
Includes churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, meditation centers
Community events at religious venues follow the same rule

Educational Institutions

Always Standard Tier regardless of student/staff numbers
Includes schools, colleges, universities, training centers
Applies even to universities with 10,000+ people on campus
Special consideration for DBS-checked installers required

Childcare Facilities

Always Standard Tier regardless of capacity
Includes nurseries, playgroups, after-school clubs
Enhanced safeguarding requirements for any security installations

Mixed-Use Venues

These require careful analysis:

Shopping centers with multiple independent retailers
Hotels with conference facilities and restaurants
Schools with community use outside hours
Sports facilities with multiple venue types

Common Classification Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Using Fire Safety Capacity

Fire regulations focus on emergency egress; Martyn's Law considers normal operational capacity. These numbers are often very different.

Mistake 2: Forgetting Staff Numbers

Many venues calculate visitor capacity correctly but forget to include all staff members who might be present simultaneously.

Mistake 3: Seasonal Variations

Consider peak periods – a seaside venue might be Standard Tier in winter but Enhanced Tier during summer seasons.

Mistake 4: Event vs. Normal Operation

Regular venue capacity determines your tier, even if you occasionally host larger events.

Mistake 5: Assuming Exemptions

Don't assume your venue is exempt without careful analysis. Many seemingly obvious exemptions don't actually apply.

Practical Implementation Steps

For Standard Tier Venues

Month 1-2: Foundation

Download the System Q Venue Operators Guide: https://systemq.com/martyns-law-operators-guide/
Complete capacity calculations and tier confirmation
Assess current procedures and identify gaps
Begin staff awareness and training programs

Month 3-6: Development

Develop detailed written procedures for all four requirements
Implement staff training programs
Consider technology enhancements for procedure support
Create documentation systems for ongoing compliance

Month 6+: Refinement

Test procedures through drills and simulations
Refine based on practical experience
Maintain training schedules and documentation
Prepare for SIA registration

For Enhanced Tier Venues

Month 1-3: Assessment

Professional security assessment recommended
Designate Senior Individual and establish responsibilities
Comprehensive gap analysis of current measures
Budget planning for required technology investments

Month 3-12: Implementation

Design and install monitoring systems (CCTV, access control)
Implement physical protection measures
Develop comprehensive procedures and documentation
Staff training across all levels

Month 12+: Documentation and Testing

Complete compliance documentation for SIA submission
System testing and procedure validation
Staff competency verification
Ongoing maintenance and update schedules

Getting Expert Help

The complexity of Martyn's Law requirements, especially for Enhanced Tier venues, often requires professional guidance. Key areas where expert help is valuable:

Accurate tier classification for complex or mixed-use venues
Technology selection that meets requirements cost-effectively
Procedure development that integrates with existing operations
Staff training programs that ensure competency
Documentation preparation for SIA submission

Your Next Steps

Immediate Actions (This Week):

Calculate your exact capacity using the methods outlined above
Confirm your tier classification considering any special rules
Download comprehensive guidance: Get the detailed System Q guide at https://systemq.com/martyns-law-operators-guide/
Assess current measures against your tier requirements
Plan your implementation timeline and budget

If you're still unsure about your classification or requirements:

? Free consultation: Call 01246 200 000 to speak with our Martyn's Law specialists ? Email assessment: Send your venue details to our experts for tier confirmation ? Professional survey: Book an on-site assessment for complex venues

Key Resources

For detailed implementation guidance:

Venue Operators: https://systemq.com/martyns-law-operators-guide/
Security Installers: https://systemq.com/martyns-law-installers-guide/

For technology solutions:

Visit our Chesterfield showroom for hands-on demonstrations
Book virtual product demonstrations
Download technical specifications and case studies

Don't leave your tier classification to guesswork. The consequences of getting it wrong are too significant for your venue, your visitors, and your business.

Next week: We'll explore the massive business opportunity Martyn's Law creates for security installers, and how venue operators can identify qualified partners for their compliance projects.

About System Q

System Q has been manufacturing security solutions for over 30 years, helping thousands of UK venues protect their communities. Our Martyn's Law expertise combines deep legislative knowledge with practical implementation experience. Learn more at www.systemq.com