Understanding Where Temporary Events Fit
Martyn’s Law applies to both permanent premises and temporary events. While much of the conversation focuses on buildings and venues, the legislation clearly includes events held on open land or temporary sites.
This is particularly relevant for festivals, sporting events, exhibitions, and outdoor productions where large numbers of people gather in environments that may not have permanent infrastructure.
The key factor is not the structure. It is the level of public access and the number of people present.
When Temporary Events Are in Scope
An event is likely to fall within scope of Martyn’s Law if:
- It is accessible to members of the public
- It is reasonable to expect around 800 or more individuals at one time
- There are measures in place to control entry, such as ticketing or accreditation
- The event is not excluded under the legislation
This aligns with official government guidance on Martyn’s Law and how it applies to public spaces.
You can explore more here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/martyns-law-standard-tier-consultation
The Common Misconception
Temporary events are often perceived as lower risk due to their open nature.
However, these environments can present unique challenges:
- Large and dynamic crowd movement
- Multiple entry and exit points
- Evolving layouts during build and live phases
- High reliance on temporary staff and contractors
These factors can increase complexity rather than reduce it.
Core Responsibilities Still Apply
Even without permanent infrastructure, the core expectations under Martyn’s Law remain consistent.
Event organisers are expected to:
- Carry out a risk assessment
- Implement reasonable and proportionate measures
- Ensure staff are aware and prepared
- Establish clear roles and responsibilities
- Plan for incident response
These principles are supported by ProtectUK guidance, which promotes preparedness and awareness across all public environments.
Learn more here:
https://www.protectuk.police.uk
Managing Access and Movement
Access control plays an important role in temporary events.
This may include:
- Controlled entry points
- Ticket validation or accreditation checks
- Defined restricted zones
- Monitoring of crowd flow
These measures help improve visibility and reduce uncertainty, particularly in fast-moving environments.
Coordination Across Teams
Temporary events typically involve multiple stakeholders, including organisers, security providers, production teams, and contractors.
Clear communication and defined responsibilities are essential to ensure that safety measures are implemented consistently.
Without this, gaps can emerge between teams, increasing risk.
Planning for a Dynamic Environment
Unlike permanent venues, temporary sites often evolve rapidly.
Build phases, live operations, and breakdown periods all present different challenges.
Planning must take this into account, ensuring that safety measures adapt alongside the event.
Conclusion
Martyn’s Law is not limited to buildings. It applies wherever the public gathers at scale.
Temporary events may look different, but the responsibility remains the same.
By understanding the risks and applying practical, proportionate measures, organisers can create safer environments for everyone involved.