Security for venues and events that run to a licence
Venues and events work to licence conditions, and their risks peak at set times, so the planning question is the same each time: who needs to be where, at what time, doing what, and holding which licence.
What usually matters
- Premises licence or event licence conditions
- Peak times, entry and closing
- The difference between security and stewarding roles
- Alcohol and crowd behaviour
- Working alongside the designated premises supervisor, event manager, stewards and medical cover
- Incident records you may need to show
Services often used
- Door supervision for licensed premises
- Event security for one-off and repeat events
- Manned guarding overnight or during set-up
- CCTV for entrances and bars
Martyn's Law
Martyn's Law is expected to come into force in spring 2027, with the exact date to be confirmed. It covers premises such as pubs, restaurants, hotels and entertainment venues where 200 or more people are expected at the same time, including staff.
- Standard tier (200 to 799 people): notify the SIA and have procedures for evacuation, invacuation, lockdown and communication.
- Enhanced tier (800 or more, and qualifying events): the above, plus measures on monitoring, movement, physical security and security of information, with documents sent to the SIA.
The duty sits with the person who controls the premises or event, and cannot be passed on. In a survey we can include entry points, crowd flow and staff procedures, but we cannot confirm that your premises comply, and the SIA and Home Office do not endorse any company for this. Read the SIA's guidance.
Common questions
How do we decide between door supervisors and event security?
Door supervision is tied to licensed premises and their licence conditions. Event security is planned around a date, a site and a safety plan. A hotel with function nights may need both, and we will say so if the survey shows it.
What do you need from a venue with a premises licence?
The licence and its conditions, your door policy, your busiest nights and closing times, and the name of the person who will work with the door team.
Talk to us about your site
Call us, or send the site address and a few details. Asking for a quote does not commit you to anything.