Figen Murray OBE, the campaigner behind Martyn’s Law, has urged retailers and hospitality businesses not to wait until implementation deadlines to press ahead with introducing vital anti-terror measures. Working together with purpose-led, independent law firm Brabners, Murray is calling on retail and hospitality leaders to avoid complacency and begin preparing their people, premises and policies now.
Murray, whose son Martyn Hett was tragically killed in the Manchester Arena attack in 2017, led a national campaign to introduce Martyn’s Law, aimed at strengthening the UK’s approach to counter-terrorism in public spaces.
Martyn’s Law, which received Royal Assent on 3rd April 2025, introduces new duties for premises and events to improve public safety. Locations with a capacity of 200 or more people must notify the regulator and have clear procedures for lockdown, invacuation, evacuation and communication. Larger venues for 800 or more people must also assess vulnerabilities, strengthen physical security and maintain a written security plan. For retailers and hospitality, the legislation means any venue that can hold more than 200 people will be required to prepare for these measures within two years of the law taking effect.
Reiterating that the law – officially known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 – is not about bureaucracy or burdensome red tape, Murray said that it’s about ensuring that venues and business premises make simple, sensible changes that can save lives in the event of an attack.
She said: “Assuming an attack won’t happen on your premises is exactly the kind of thinking that leaves consumers and employees most at risk. Martyn’s Law is not about surveillance or fear, but rather it’s about care, clarity and readiness. Every business has a duty to protect its customers and its staff, and the time to act is now.”
While full statutory guidance is expected to be published in the coming months, the core principles are already clear, with businesses operating public spaces expected to do more to assess risk, prepare response plans, and train their staff in how to respond to a terror threat.
She said: “This is about using common sense and taking responsibility, not spending huge amounts of money or turning venues into fortresses. Whether you’re a small independent operator or a major chain, there are simple things you can do right now that make a real difference, like making sure staff know what to do in an emergency, reviewing evacuation plans or proactively talking to your landlords or local authorities about ways you can work collaboratively on risk mitigation. These are straightforward, practical steps that can save lives.”
Helena Davies, head of retail at Brabners, said: “After years of fierce campaigning led by Figen, Martyn’s Law is no longer just a policy proposal. It’s now an Act of Parliament. Her message is a powerful reminder that responsibility starts now. For every retail business, this is a moment and opportunity to lead. However, it’s clear from speaking to the industry that not enough are taking action or are waiting for guidance.
“The choices we make today – to prepare, to train, to protect – will define how resilient we really are. It’s about creating a culture of accountability and awareness that puts safety at the heart of retail operations.”
Rethinking risk, resilience and responsibility in retail
Murray’s comments follow Brabners’ recent ‘Future of Retail: Risk and Resilience’ conference, hosted in Manchester. Attended by senior figures from across the retail and hospitality sectors, the conference focused on supporting businesses in future-proofing and risk mitigation efforts.
As the conference’s keynote speaker, Murray set the tone for a day of in-depth discussion and practical insight, with other sessions exploring the full spectrum of risks facing today’s retailers. Topics covered included operational resilience in the face of economic uncertainty, the convergence of cyber and physical threats, and the challenges of implementing consistent risk policies across multi-site operations.
Helena Davies said: “As well as exploring the need for terror risk mitigation, this year’s conference brought together experts from law enforcement, cybersecurity, risk management and retail leadership to explore how businesses can adapt to what is an increasingly complex operating environment. From increased shoplifting and AI-driven fraud to supply chain disruption and workplace wellbeing, it’s clear that building resilience today means rethinking how we lead, how we invest, and how we protect our people and customers.”
Brabners’ Future of Retail: Risk and Resilience conference builds on the firm’s broader commitment to helping clients navigate legal change. The firm, a certified B Corp which counts the likes of DFS, Mamas & Papas, Very and Morrisons among its client base, continues to play a leading role in helping the UK’s largest retailers across beauty, fashion, leisure and hospitality, food and drink, automotive and health to build safe, sustainable and future-ready operations.
