Does Martyn's Law Apply to My Business?
You will have heard about the new piece of legislation, Martyn’s Law, that is coming into force in the UK, otherwise why would you be here? (If you haven’t check out our previous blog “What is Martyn’s Law?” here.)
The question “Does Martyn’s Law Apply to My Business?” is an amazingly simple question and deserves a simple answer but, as ever with these things, it is never straight forward. There are always subtleties and nuances to the answer. In this blog I hope to answer that question as simply as possible – spoiler alert, the answer is maybe.
Want to dive right in? We’ve written a White Paper about Martyn’s Law specifically for Manufacturers.
Want to download our White Paper? Look here.
So, Martyn’s Law will affect your business if you fall into both these two categories:
- Number 1, if you have a maximum capacity of over one hundred. Although you can comply with the new Law if you have a capacity of less one hundred.
- And Number 2, if you have a premises that is open to the public, although, again, there are several subtleties to that as well.
And that is it, those are the only two criteria for Martyn’s Law on which we are certain.
So, let us get into the slight subtleties there are certain qualifying activities that mean you could fall within the scope of Martin’s law. These activities include:
- visitors and tourist attractions
- museums, galleries, and places of interest
- educational facilities
- activities such as entertainment and leisure
- hospitality, food, and drink.
- any forms of sports facilities and sports grounds
- places of worship
- and lastly health facilities
If your business conducts any of those activities, you may fall within the scope of Martyn’s Law.
However, there is this one qualifying activity called ‘temporary events’ that also falls within the scope of Martyn’s Law. If your business holds any form of temporary events, you too could fall within the scope of Martyn’s Law. What is not certain yet is what a temporary event means in the terms of Martyn’s Law. For example, does a networking event class as a temporary event, does a best practise industry event class as a temporary event, if your business holds a seminar is that classed as a temporary event.
All this is yet to be clarified.
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Secondly, let us look at the capacity question. If your business has a capacity of over one hundred then you may fall have to comply with Martyn’s Law (presuming you are accessible to the public or hold some form of event – I’m sure you get the picture). However, what if your business is a mixed-use business. For example, what if you operate a small café in your business that is open to the public. Is it the capacity of the café or the wider business? What if you hold a best practice event for your peers in your business once a month. How do you calculate the capacity? Is it the number attending the event, or the sum of people in the business who would, undoubtedly, be caught up in the event if a terrorist attack occurred?
Again, these are all questions that are yet to be clarified.
So, to summarise this blog, “Does Martyn’s Law apply to my business?” the answer is maybe. More on this as it develops.
If you would like some support with your Martyn’s Law compliance, look here.
I will keep this blog updated as more information becomes available so keep checking back.