Standard Tier vs Enhanced Tier: Which Applies to Your Venue?
TL;DR
Standard tier (200-799 people) means procedures only: evacuation, invacuation, lockdown, and communication. No equipment, max fine £10,000. Enhanced tier (800+) adds physical security measures, a written PPP to the SIA, and fines up to £18 million. Places of worship, childcare, and schools are always standard tier regardless of size.
Martyn's Law splits venues into two tiers. This article will outline the key differences so you can avoid choosing the wrong tier and over-investing or under-preparing.
For a broader overview of the Act, see our 'What is Martyn's Law?' explainer or the complete compliance guide.
Which Tier Does Your Venue Fall Into?
Standard tier: 200 to 799 people (including staff and volunteers). Enhanced tier: 800 or more. Under 200, you're not in scope at all. Some venue types are always standard tier regardless of size.
Full Comparison
| Requirement | Standard (200–799) | Enhanced (800+) |
|---|---|---|
| Notify the SIA | Yes | Yes |
| Protection procedures | Yes | Yes, plus more |
| Physical security measures | No | Yes |
| Written PPP to SIA | No | Yes |
| Designated senior individual | No | Yes |
| Maximum fine | £10,000 | £18m or 5% of revenue |
| Daily penalty | £500/day | £50,000/day |
| Criminal offences | No | Up to 2 years |
What Does Standard Tier Require?
First, notify the SIA when their online system goes live (expected Spring 2027). Second, have public protection procedures in place covering evacuation, invacuation, lockdown, and communication.
'Reasonably practicable' is the legal standard. A single-room shop with one front door needs less planning than a multi-storey entertainment venue. No official staff training format exists, do what works for you.
What Does Enhanced Tier Require?
Everything in standard tier, plus:
- Physical security measures to reduce vulnerability (CCTV, access control, hostile vehicle mitigation, depending on risk profile)
- A written PPP submitted to the SIA and reviewed annually
- A designated senior individual at board level who takes personal responsibility
Enhanced tier venues will likely need professional security advice and physical modifications. It goes well beyond what a typical venue manager handles.
Which Venues Are Always Standard Tier?
Some venue types are locked to standard tier regardless of capacity:
- Places of worship
- Childcare settings
- Primary and secondary education
- Further education
Higher education is the exception. Universities with 800+ capacity can be enhanced tier.
Charging for entry doesn't move any of these into enhanced tier. The only thing that can is a separate qualifying event of 800 or more with controlled access, and even then the duty sits with the event, not the building.
How ready is your venue for Martyn's Law?
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Take the free 60-second readiness checkHow to Work Out Your Tier
One number: the greatest number of people reasonably expected on your premises at the same time, with some regularity. Staff, volunteers, and contractors all count.
- Under 200: Not in scope.
- 200 to 799: Standard tier.
- 800+: Enhanced tier.
The Home Office guidance sets out six approved methods. Fire safety occupancy figures, ticket sales, or licence conditions will usually give you the answer. Try our free capacity calculator to work it out using floor space factors and exit widths.
Penalties and Costs
Standard tier: up to £10,000 plus £500/day. No criminal charges for non-compliance with duties.
Enhanced tier: up to £18 million (or 5% of worldwide revenue), £50,000/day, and up to 2 years imprisonment. Compliance costs vary enormously depending on the premises.
Both tiers follow the same escalation: advice first, then compliance notices, then fines. The SIA wants to help venues get it right, not punish them from day one.
What to Do Next
If you're standard tier, you need procedures for evacuation, invacuation, lockdown, and communication, and your staff and volunteers need to know them. That's it.
Use the Home Office guidance, our compliance guide, or Standard Tier to get your PPP, staff training, and audit trail sorted in 10 minutes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can a venue move between tiers?
What if my venue is exactly 200 or exactly 800?
Do I include staff in my capacity count?
My venue is usually under 200 but occasionally goes over. Am I in scope?
Are places of worship always standard tier?
What about qualifying events?
Official Sources
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Standard Tier (2026). Standard Tier vs Enhanced Tier: Which Applies to Your Venue?. Available at: https://www.standardtier.co.uk/guide/standard-tier-vs-enhanced-tier
Last reviewed: 8 June 2026. Based on the Act and the Home Office statutory guidance published on 15 April 2026. Requirements may be refined as the SIA finalises its own guidance.
This guide is general information about the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, not legal advice. Duties under the Act rest on the responsible person for each venue and cannot be transferred. If you're unsure how a specific requirement applies to your premises, take advice from a solicitor or qualified security adviser before acting on anything you read here.
Standard Tier is an independent platform and is not affiliated with the UK Home Office, the SIA, or any government body.