Martyn's Law is expected to come into force in spring 2027, and it will apply to any venue where 200 or more people may be present. It is the largest new duty on the horizon for hospitality. It joins a list of obligations that most independent operators manage from memory.
Memory is the weak point. A one-page calendar with a named owner for each item costs an afternoon and removes most of the risk.
The calendar at a glance
| When | What | Who it affects |
|---|---|---|
| In force since 1 October 2024 | Tips law: all tips passed to workers, fairly and transparently | Every venue where tips are given |
| 1 February 2026 | Alcohol duty increased by 3.66% | Licensed venues |
| 1 April 2026 | Business rates revaluation and new hospitality multipliers; 40% relief ended | All rated premises |
| April 2026 | National Living Wage rose to £12.71 | All employers |
| Autumn 2026 | Security Industry Authority due to publish final Martyn's Law guidance | Venues with capacity of 200 or more |
| Spring 2027 (expected) | Martyn's Law duties commence | Venues with capacity of 200 or more |
| Ongoing | Allergen information and labelling duties | Every food business |
Dates for future changes can move. Confirm each on GOV.UK before you plan around it.
Martyn's Law: what to do now
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 3 April 2025. The Home Office published statutory guidance on 15 April 2026. The Security Industry Authority will be the regulator.
There are two tiers:
- Standard tier: premises where 200 to 799 people may reasonably be expected to be present.
- Enhanced tier: premises and events with 800 or more.
Standard tier duties focus on procedures and preparedness: how staff would evacuate, invacuate, lock down and communicate. They are designed to be achievable without major spending.
Three actions make sense this year. Work out your tier, counting staff as well as guests. Name the person responsible. Read the Home Office guidance and draft simple procedures your team can rehearse.
Outdoor areas that form part of the premises can count towards the total, so check the guidance for your layout. A bar that holds 150 inside may cross 200 with a terrace.
Tips: a recruitment advantage
Since 1 October 2024, employers must pass all tips, gratuities and service charges to workers without deductions, and allocate them fairly. A written tipping policy is required where tips are regular, along with records of how tips are distributed.
Most operators treat this as an administrative task. It is also a hiring message. In a labour market this tight, "100% of tips go to the team, and here is how we share them" belongs in every job advert.
Tell guests too. A line on the menu explaining where the service charge goes reduces awkward questions and removals.
Allergens: where trust is won or lost
Food businesses must be able to tell customers which of the 14 major allergens are in what they serve. Food that is prepacked for direct sale needs a full ingredients label with allergens emphasised. Regulators have also encouraged written allergen information for non-prepacked food.
The commercial point is simple. Guests with allergies, and the groups they dine with, choose venues they trust. A clear allergen matrix, a confident server and a kitchen that takes it seriously win bookings for tables of eight.
Build allergen checks into menu changes. The risk rises when a supplier substitutes an ingredient or a special is added on a busy night.
Rates and wages: diary the review points
The business rates revaluation took effect on 1 April 2026, alongside permanently lower multipliers for retail, hospitality and leisure. The previous 40% relief ended. Pubs and live music venues have an additional 15% discount for 2026/27 only.
Put two dates in the diary. One now, to check your bill and valuation. One in early 2027, to plan for the pub and music venue discount ending unless it is extended.
Wage rates change each April. Model the next increase into your prices in January, not in May.
Employment changes to watch
Further employment law reforms are being phased in, including provisions on guaranteed hours that matter to businesses relying on flexible staffing. Timetables are still being confirmed. Ask your payroll provider or employment adviser for the dates that apply to you.
Turn the calendar into a system
- List every obligation with its date or renewal cycle: premises licence, personal licences, food hygiene inspection follow-ups, gas and electrical safety, fire risk assessment, insurance, music licences.
- Give each one owner. A name, not a job title.
- Set reminders 60 and 30 days out in a shared calendar.
- Keep documents in one shared folder with clear file names.
- Review monthly for ten minutes at your management meeting.
This is operations, not paperwork for its own sake. When the general manager leaves, the knowledge stays.
Use it commercially
A visibly well-run venue attracts better staff, corporate bookings and event organisers. Corporate clients increasingly ask about safety procedures before confirming private hire. Having an answer ready wins the booking.
FAQs
When does Martyn's Law come into force? It is expected in spring 2027. The Home Office will confirm the exact date through Parliament.
Does Martyn's Law apply to restaurants and bars? Yes, where 200 or more people may reasonably be expected to be present at the same time.
Do restaurants have to give all tips to staff? Yes. Since 1 October 2024, tips must be passed to workers in full and allocated fairly.
How many allergens must restaurants declare? Fourteen major allergens must be identifiable in the food you serve.
Sources
- GOV.UK: SIA launches consultation on section 12 guidance for Martyn's Law
- Norton Rose Fulbright: Martyn's Law statutory guidance and implications
- Standard Tier: Martyn's Law timeline
- Clover: UK hospitality cost pressures 2026
This article is commercial commentary, not legal advice. Check current requirements on GOV.UK and with your advisers.
Next step: take the MaverX Growth Score to see how much of your operation runs on documented process.