Martyn's Law for restaurants.
Martyn's Law applies to publicly accessible premises used for a qualifying activity where 200+ people may be present at the same time. Food & drink (pub, bar, café, restaurant) counts as a qualifying use — so whether your restaurant is in scope comes down to how many people could realistically be present, including staff.
When are restaurants in scope?
Large bookings, party nights and multi-floor service can take a restaurant past 200 including staff.
The threshold counts the most people reasonably expected at once — including staff — even if that only happens occasionally. Check it against fire occupancy, ticketing or past event records, and record your decision either way. Typically the responsible person is the restaurant manager.
- Private functions and multiple floors affect peak occupancy.
- Front- and back-of-house staff need to know their part in each procedure.
- Clear, calm communication to diners is the core of a good response.
Evacuation
Getting people safely away from the premises.
Invacuation
Moving people into, or to a safer part of, the premises when leaving is not safer.
Lockdown
Restricting access to, or movement within, the premises.
Communication
Alerting people on the premises and sharing clear information quickly.
Get your restaurant sorted in about an hour
PremiseReady walks you through the scope decision, the four procedures and a staff sign-off log — then exports a tidy evidence pack. Enforcement expected Spring 2027.
Start the free check