Free Martyn's Law Venue Checker
Check Your Venue's Martyn's Law Headcount Pathway
Use the free Martyn's Law Venue Checker to add the customers, staff, contractors, performers and other relevant people you reasonably expect could be present at the same time. Hospli will show whether that number falls below 200, within the 200–799 Standard Tier range, or reaches the 800+ Enhanced Tier threshold.
Important
This checker assesses the headcount threshold only. It does not decide whether your premises is legally within scope. Martyn's Law also contains premises, use and other statutory criteria that must be considered.
Free Martyn's Law capacity checker
Enter the greatest numbers you reasonably expect could be present at the same time. Include staff rather than counting customers alone.
How the Martyn's Law Venue Checker works
- Select your hospitality venue type.
- Enter your postcode.
- Enter expected customers or visitors.
- Include staff working at the premises.
- Add contractors, performers and other relevant people.
- Hospli totals the figures and shows the current headcount threshold pathway.
What do the Martyn's Law headcount results mean?
Below Standard Tier headcount
Under 200
Your entered number is below the current 200-person Standard Tier headcount threshold for ordinary qualifying premises.
This does not by itself establish that a premises is legally outside the Act.
Standard Tier headcount range
200–799
Your entered number falls within the current Standard Tier headcount range for ordinary qualifying premises.
Enhanced Tier headcount range
800+
Your entered number reaches the current Enhanced Tier headcount threshold for ordinary qualifying premises.
Hospli V1 does not provide an Enhanced Tier compliance workflow.
Do staff count towards Martyn's Law capacity?
Yes. Current official guidance says staff count when working out how many people it is reasonable to expect may be present at the same time.
That is why the Hospli checker asks separately for:
- customers and visitors;
- staff;
- contractors;
- performers; and
- other relevant people.
Is Martyn's Law based on licensed capacity?
Not automatically. A premises licence, fire capacity or other maximum figure may be useful evidence, but the current statutory test is concerned with the number of people it is reasonable to expect may be present at the same time.
For hospitality businesses, that means looking at the real operation of the venue rather than simply copying a number from a licence.
Martyn's Law pub capacity
Pub operators should consider customers and staff together, as well as contractors, performers, function guests and other relevant people who may reasonably be present.
Function rooms, entertainment and busy trading periods can make the real expected number different from the figure a manager might first assume.
Martyn's Law hotel capacity
Hotels should not use bedroom numbers alone. Staff, overnight guests, restaurant and bar customers, conferences, weddings, functions and other activity may all affect how many people can reasonably be expected at the premises at the same time.
What should I do after checking my venue?
If your headcount falls within the Standard Tier range, the next step is to consider the rest of the statutory scope criteria and, where appropriate, begin organising your readiness record.
Identify the responsible person
Establish who controls the premises in connection with the use that may bring it within scope.
Responsible person guide →Use the readiness checklist
Review scope, procedures, staff briefings, evidence and ongoing review arrangements.
Martyn's Law checklist →Martyn's Law Venue Checker FAQs
Does Martyn's Law apply to my pub?
The Venue Checker can show which current headcount threshold your numbers fall into, but headcount alone does not determine whether a premises is legally in scope. The statutory premises, use and other scope criteria must also be considered.
What is the 200-person Martyn's Law threshold?
For ordinary qualifying premises, 200 people is the current lower headcount threshold for Standard Tier. The relevant number includes staff and is based on how many people it is reasonable to expect may be present at the same time from time to time.
What happens at 800 people under Martyn's Law?
For ordinary qualifying premises, 800 or more people falls within the current Enhanced Tier headcount range. Enhanced Tier brings additional requirements beyond Hospli V1's Standard Tier workflow.
Do staff count towards Martyn's Law capacity?
Yes. Current official guidance says staff are included when considering the number of individuals reasonably expected to be present at the same time.
Is licensed capacity the same as Martyn's Law capacity?
Not necessarily. Licensed or stated capacity may be useful evidence, but the statutory approach focuses on the number of individuals it is reasonable to expect may actually be present at the same time.
Is the Hospli Venue Checker a legal compliance assessment?
No. It is a free headcount and readiness tool. It helps hospitality operators understand the likely threshold pathway from the information entered and links to official guidance. It is not legal advice or a compliance certificate.
Official Martyn's Law guidance
This page was last reviewed on 4 September 2026.
- Home Office — Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025: statutory guidance
- Security Industry Authority — Understanding Martyn's Law and the SIA's role as regulator
Hospli is an independent readiness and record-keeping platform. The Venue Checker provides headcount-based signposting only. It is not legal advice, a government-approved assessment or a compliance certificate.