Martyn's Law penalties and fines for small venues
Fines get the headlines, but for most small venues the realistic picture is calmer: the regulator wants you prepared, not punished. Here's what the penalties actually are and how to stay well clear of them.
Martyn's Law penalties at a glance
| Standard tier (200 to 799) | Enhanced tier (800+) and qualifying events | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum fixed penalty | £10,000 | £18 million or 5% of worldwide revenue, whichever is higher |
| Daily penalty for ongoing failure | Up to £500 a day | Up to £50,000 a day |
| Compliance notices | Yes | Yes |
| Restriction notices | No | Yes |
These are the maximums set in the Act. A penalty can be lower, and the regulator has to act proportionately.
Who enforces Martyn's Law?
The Security Industry Authority (SIA). It can ask for information, inspect premises, and use a range of enforcement tools. The SIA has said it will take a "support first" approach: giving guidance and helping venues comply before reaching for formal enforcement.
In practice, that means a small venue that has made a genuine, sensible effort is in a very different position from one that has ignored the law completely.
Take the free 3-tap check. It takes about 20 seconds and tells you which tier you're likely to be in.
What can the SIA do?
Information notices and inspections
The SIA can ask you for information and documents, and can inspect premises. Be ready to show your capacity count, your procedures and your staff records.
Compliance notices
If the SIA thinks you're not meeting a duty, it can issue a compliance notice telling you what to put right and by when. For most venues that are trying, this is the realistic worst case: a list of things to fix.
Penalty notices
The SIA can issue a fixed penalty, up to £10,000 for standard tier premises. If you don't comply with a notice, a daily penalty can be added for each day it continues.
Restriction notices (enhanced tier only)
For enhanced tier premises and qualifying events, the SIA can restrict how the premises are used, or stop an event going ahead, until the problem is fixed.
Criminal offences
Some things are criminal offences, such as failing to comply with certain notices without a reasonable excuse, or giving the SIA false or misleading information. These are aimed at serious and deliberate failures.
What would a standard tier venue get a penalty for?
The standard tier duties are short, so the risks are easy to see:
- Not notifying the SIA once notification is open
- Having no procedures for evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication
- Having procedures on paper that staff don't know about or couldn't carry out
- Ignoring a compliance notice
- Giving false information to the SIA
How to make sure you never get near a penalty
- Count honestly and keep a dated record. See does Martyn's Law apply to my venue?
- Notify the SIA as soon as the portal opens. See how to notify the SIA.
- Write simple procedures that fit your building. See our procedures template guide.
- Brief your staff and keep a record of who has read the plan and when.
- Practise with a short talk-through every few months.
- Review yearly, and whenever something changes.
- Respond quickly if the SIA ever gets in touch.
Penalties aren't the main reason to do this
Martyn's Law exists because of what happened in Manchester in 2017. A few simple steps, like everyone knowing which doors to lock and where to take people, can genuinely protect your customers and staff. That's the real point, and it's also what keeps the regulator happy.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fine for Martyn's Law?
For standard tier venues (200 to 799 people), the maximum fixed penalty is £10,000. For enhanced tier venues and qualifying events, it's £18 million or 5% of worldwide revenue, whichever is higher. Daily penalties can be added if a notice isn't complied with.
Will a small pub be fined straight away?
The SIA has said it will take a support first approach, focusing on guidance and helping venues comply before using formal enforcement such as penalties.
Who issues Martyn's Law fines?
The Security Industry Authority (SIA), the regulator for Martyn's Law.
Can you go to prison for breaking Martyn's Law?
Some serious failures, such as not complying with certain notices without a reasonable excuse or giving false information to the SIA, are criminal offences. These are aimed at serious and deliberate failures.
Related guides
This guide is general information, not legal advice. VenuePlan is not affiliated with the Home Office or the Security Industry Authority. For the official position, read the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 guidance on GOV.UK and the SIA's Martyn's Law pages.