In recent years, tragic events have highlighted the need for improved safety and security measures in public spaces. The Manchester Arena bombing in 2017, which claimed the lives of 22 innocent people and left hundreds injured, served as a wake-up call for the need to strengthen security practices. In response to this devastating incident the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill was drafted, and Martyn’s Law sets out the requirements for venues and other organisations across the UK to protect public safety.  In this blog, Rob Easton, Head of Environmental Health at Shield Safety, explores the background, current status, potential impact, likely requirements, enforcement, and timeline for the implementation of Martyn's Law. 

Martyn's Law is named after Martyn Hett, one of the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing. Martyn's family, alongside other survivors and campaigners, pushed for improved security measures in public spaces to prevent such attacks in the future. The law aims to make it a legal requirement for venues to implement comprehensive security measures and emergency planning. 

As of now, Martyn's Law has not been enacted as legislation but has gained significant support from various stakeholders, including politicians, campaigners, and industry experts. The legislation has undergone multiple stages of consultation and scrutiny in Parliament to ensure its effectiveness and feasibility. 

If implemented, it will have a significant impact on businesses operating public venues such as those in hospitality such as restaurants, bars, pubs, and clubs, and the retail sector. The law will see a tiered approach to the requirements on-premises. The standard tier will apply to public premises with a maximum capacity of 100 or more people, whilst the enhanced tier applies to public premises and events with a maximum capacity of 800 or more people. Guidance and training materials will also be available to premises with a capacity of under 100, should they want additional support.

Standard-tier premises will be required to undertake basic, low-cost activities to improve their preparedness, including terrorism protection training and evaluating the best procedures to put in place in order to minimise impact.

 

Enhanced tier premises and events have further requirements in recognition of the potential consequences of a successful attack. This will include appointing a designated senior officer who must regularly review the security of the venue.

Communication - detail how people, including staff, the public, and volunteers will be communicated with in the event of an incident. The messages must be clear and updated as the situation evolves.

 

Lockdown - if an attack is occurring outside of the premises, specify how the location locks down and the people inside are protected.

 

Evacuate - if people need to be evacuated, plan how they will be moved to a place of safety. This is not the same as a fire evacuation plan, as people will need to disperse rather than muster.

 

Engage with the emergency services - ensure there is a means to contact the emergency services, considering mobile phone coverage and safe areas from which a call could be made,

 

First Aid and Firefighting Equipment – additional first and firefighting equipment may be needed to respond to a terrorist attack. Ensure the team is trained in the effective and safe use of the equipment.

 

Work with neighbours - coordinate the response with neighbouring properties and, if applicable, the landlord. Maintain a contact list and consider shared radio networks to enable effective communication.

 

Like other risk assessments, the plan must be reviewed annually or at such time there is a significant change to the property, process, or understanding of the risk.  

 

So, when will it become a law? The timeline for Martyn's Law becoming legislation is uncertain, as it depends on the parliamentary process. However, there is growing cross-party support for the legislation, and it is anticipated that it will eventually be passed into law. The exact timeframe will depend on further debates, potential amendments, and the prioritisation of legislative agendas. An area that is yet to be confirmed is what body will be responsible for the monitoring and enforcement of the legislation. The Security Industry Authority is the statutory organisation responsible for regulating the private industry in the UK but does not currently have the scale and inspecting capability needed to check all the venues covered by Martyn’s Law. The Health and Safety Executive has also been identified as a potential enforcer, but they do not possess specialist knowledge of security and do not inspect health and safety in the hospitality and retail sectors. This leaves Local Authorities as the next regulatory body, but they are only completing limited health and safety inspections, as resources are incredibly stretched. Either way, the enforcing body must have the resources and credibility to ensure compliance with the new and needed legislation.

 

• 6.2m UK adults will be actively moderating their alcohol in-take this summer – almost as many as those who moderate during Dry January 
• 3.7m Brits rule out venue in last 3 months because of poor alcohol-free options
• More than 1 in 3 pub and restaurant visits are alcohol-free 

Thursday 29th June 2023 – UK drinkers are now moderating in the summer at similar numbers to ‘Dry January’, according to a new industry report produced by research consultancy KAM in partnership with alcohol-free beer brand Lucky Saint.

The new report, ‘2023 Low and No: The Customer Perspective’ launches today looking at changing drinking habits across the UK, with the clearest indication yet that moderation has gone mainstream in the UK.

Moderation of alcohol is now a year-round habit for UK adults, the report finds. This year for the first time, there will be as many UK adults moderating this summer as there are during January, famous as the month of the year where millions of drinkers in the UK cut down their alcohol consumption. 6.2 million adults will be actively moderating their alcohol consumption this summer. 

The report also shows that as people turn towards alcohol-free options, with more than 1 in 3 pub and restaurant visits alcohol-free, availability of quality alcohol-free options is more important than ever. 3.7 million Brits ruled out a specific venue in the last 3 months alone due to poor alcohol-free options, totalling a missed opportunity of £590.4m in revenue across a year for hospitality venues. 

A significant fall in the number of UK adults consuming alcohol at least once a week was reported, with the figure at 76.9% (down from 90% in 2022). This equates to a drop of 6.8m people drinking weekly, with all age groups reporting a decline in overall alcohol consumption. Within the 18-24 age group the figure has fallen fastest, from 91% in 2022 down to 72% this year. This coincides with a whole raft of new consumers entering the low and no category in the last year, with 9.7m UK adults (19% of UK adults) trying low and no alcohol beer for the first time.  

Better health was the largest driver behind moderation, with now over 1/3rd of people citing improving personal fitness as the biggest motivator.

The influence of the ‘non-drinker’ is evident in the findings, with 46% of people saying that if they’re visiting a venue and one (or more) people in the group are not drinking alcohol that day, they would influence the choice of venue. 

Katy Moses, MD at KAM said:

“Moderation has most certainly hit the mainstream and it’s part of a bigger shift in how we, as a nation, are spending our leisure time. We now see a modern consumer where socialising is not centred around drinking culture, who is more aware of the risks of alcohol, and therefore is pro-actively taking action to ensure that they are drinking at what they consider to be responsible levels. 

But consumers don't want to miss out on all the occasions where alcohol is normally present, going to the pub with friends, celebrating a birthday at home, enjoying a beer while watching sport, for example. The increasing number of low alcohol or alcohol-free options available is therefore being welcomed with open arms.

Despite this long-term growth in low or alcohol-free occasions, hospitality venues are still at risk of losing customers, by giving them an underwhelming experience and not maximising potential sales on these low or alcohol-free occasions due to poor range and visibility. Venues must ensure they stay ahead of the curve, or they risk becoming less relevant for many potential customers.”

Luke Boase, founder of Lucky Saint, commented:

“This report shows that moderation is not just for January, it’s becoming ingrained in people’s lives throughout the year. Moderating has moved beyond a single month in the year, and beyond simplistic definitions of ‘drinkers’ and ‘non-drinkers’.

Whilst the market continues to see tremendous growth, the opportunity for the UK remains significant. We trail behind many European nations in how we embrace low and no, with the likes of Spain, Germany and Sweden having larger market shares for low and no consumption compared to the UK.

After thousands of years of forming social connections around alcohol occasions, we’re seeing a rapid cultural shift in attitudes towards alcohol, and acceptance of not drinking, across all age groups. This idea that you have to apologise for not drinking is fading away and with people in the UK actively seeking ways to moderate their alcohol intake, making quality alcohol-free options more widely available plays a critical role.”

 

Becoming laptop-friendly and allowing remote working in pubs can be a smart decision, as it can provide several benefits for both the pub and the remote workers. Here are some reasons why pubs should consider becoming laptop-friendly & allow remote working:

● Increased customer satisfaction: By allowing customers to use their laptops, pubs can increase customer satisfaction and loyalty. Many people appreciate the opportunity to work or study in a relaxed and comfortable environment outside of their usual workspace, and pubs that cater to this need are more likely to attract and retain customers.

● Potential for increased sales: Laptop users are often willing to spend more time in a pub, which means they may order more food and drinks than customers who only stay for a short period of time. Additionally, laptop users may be more likely to return to the pub, making them valuable repeat customers.

● Adaptation to changing customer needs: In today's digital age, many people rely on their laptops and mobile devices for work, communication, and entertainment. By accommodating these needs, pubs can stay relevant and attract a wider range of customers.

● Competitive advantage: In areas with many pubs, offering laptop-friendly amenities can set a pub apart from its competitors and attract a unique demographic of customers.

● Increased foot traffic and revenue: Remote workers may stay in the pub for an extended period of time, which can increase the foot traffic and revenue for the pub. This can be especially beneficial during off-peak hours when the pub may not be as busy.

● Diversified customer base: By catering to remote workers, pubs can attract a more diverse customer base. This can include freelancers, digital nomads, and remote employees who may be looking for a comfortable and welcoming workspace outside of their home.

● Improved productivity and creativity: For remote workers, the change of environment can provide a boost in productivity and creativity. By providing a quiet and comfortable workspace with access to Wi-Fi and power outlets, pubs can become a productive and inspiring workplace for remote workers.

● Positive brand reputation: Pubs that cater to remote workers can build a positive brand reputation as a welcoming and inclusive space. This can attract not only remote workers but also other customers who appreciate the pub's commitment to creating a comfortable and supportive environment.

Reviewing and adjusting your bar to cellar management processes can be vital for saving money. Here we have outlined some key areas to look at when carrying out the review.