Changing Regulations In Hospitality & Their Importance For The Security Sector

So far, 2024 is shaping up to be a momentous year for new legislation. Not only have local and regional governments (like Scotland) introduced and moved ahead with key initiatives, but the introduction of a new government in Westminster will no doubt lead to major shifts in policy compared to previous parliaments.

One of the areas expected to see significant changes is the hospitality industry, with a range of new legislation having both direct and indirect impacts on the sector. Whether that involves changes to staffing laws, more stringent requirements for event security, or different regulations surrounding the sale of alcohol, the way that hospitality events and venues are operated will face dramatic changes in the months ahead.      

Naturally, the knock-on effects of such adjustments will impact other sectors, such as professional security services. With hospitality ever being a profitable customer pool for security providers, venues like concerts, bars, nightclubs, casinos, sports matches, tourist attractions, and even hotels require varied measures to keep their premises and guests safe and secure.

Consequently, the way that any new regulations take shape, and how they might be implemented in hospitality premises across the country could have vital ramifications for the security sector. For those in the industry, it’s important to stay ahead of the curve, and ensure our services remain compliant with the relevant legislation, and continue to be practical for all our valued hospitality clients.   

But before all of that – we must first learn the upcoming changes and understand the potential effects they may have. So, here are some of the most important changes to hospitality regulation in 2024, and how that might ultimately impact the security sector.

The Introduction Of Martyn’s Law

After a long time campaigning by Figen Murray and others, and a lengthy consultation period by the previous government, Martyn’s Law finally seems poised to come into effect. It was outlined only a few weeks ago in the King’s Speech on 17th July, in which the new parliament committed to ‘improve the safety and security of public venues and help keep the British public safe from terrorism’.

While the bill itself hasn’t been introduced to the commons floor yet, the government intends to move forward with it when parliamentary time allows. As such, there remains a very feasible chance that Martyn’s Law will be passed in the coming months, although there is no guarantee that it will receive the final stamp of approval of Royal Assent by the end of the year.

Regardless, it seems clear that change is on the horizon for public spaces, which could revolutionise security and safety planning for events. Here’s what security providers need to know about the new rules:  

-        Martyn’s Law, also known as the Terrorism (Protection Of Premises) Bill, will require certain venues to take a more proactive approach to preventing terrorism.

-        The law will mandate certain measures to mitigate, prepare for, and spread awareness about terrorism, depending on the type of premises.

-        The law will apply to all ‘qualifying public premises’, including those that hold large or small events.  

-        The law applies to everything from stadiums and concert venues to places of worship, hospitals, and universities.

-        The law offers two tiers of required activities – Standard and Enhanced, each with different requirements and protective measures.

-        Venues with capacity of 100-799 will be required to implement the Standard measures, while venues with a capacity of 800+ must implement the Enhanced version.

There is some debate about what exactly will be required for each tier, but some broad areas will almost certainly be included.

Venues that meet the Standard benchmark will be expected to put in place procedural measures to reduce the risk of physical harm to attendants at the venue. This might include increased staff training and emergency/evacuation planning to ensure threats can be identified at the earliest moment, and venue staff can quickly and effectively direct guests to safety.

While there is no requirement for Standard venues to make physical alterations to their premises, larger and more complex venues that meet the Enhanced definition may need to do so. In addition to everything required for a Standard venue, Enhanced premises must also need to keep or maintain an official security document & terrorism risk assessment to be passed on to the regulator. Premises must also appoint an individual to act as the designated senior official for the event or premises.

If a venue fails to comply with these standards, they can be fined up to a shocking £18 million, so keeping compliant with Martyn’s Law legislation is going to be a key focus of event security going forward. The outsourcing of this headache could turn into a profitable opportunity for the security industry, with companies able to offer full packages including staff training, documentation, SIA-licensed officers, and any physical barriers needed to keep venues compliant.      

In any case, the introduction of Martyn’s Law will certainly see a tightening of security measures that will likely benefit the security industry. Additionally, as a bill that’s popular across the political spectrum for its purpose and aim, we can hope that the new rules lead to a safer and more protected hospitality sector for all to enjoy.

Increase To The National Living Wage

Back in April 2024, the National Living Wage rose from £10.42 to £11.44 for over-21s, the first time ever in the UK’s history that the rate increased by more than £1. While this is worth £1,800 a year to those eligible, it still falls short of the real living wage, estimated by the Living Wage Foundation to be £12 across the country and £13.15 in the capital city of London.

The new parliament are set to address this disparity in coming months, announcing just this Tuesday that for the first time, the Low Pay Commission (LPC) will factor in the cost of living when advising the government on the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage. There is also talk of narrowing the gap between these rates, providing a substantial pay rise to many young people across the country. This is broadly popular – with 71% of voters supporting scrapping the age bands, although the effect this could have on businesses remains unclear.

While the LPC have committed to considering the impact of all stakeholders and the wider economy when discussing adjustments to wage levels, further pay rises are sure to have a dramatic impact on the hospitality and security sectors both.

First, it could impact staffing levels (especially for small businesses), as venues will be less willing to pay for more staff, which includes both their own employees and contracted security personnel. As a result, security providers may see a reduction in business from clients tightening their budgets and making cuts to services. On the other hand, more money in people’s pockets means more people attending events, buying drinks, and going on holiday. That will inevitably lead to a higher demand for security, as hospitality venues and events contend with the increased footfall.

Overall, we perhaps won’t know the full impact of past and future wage increases until some time has passed, and we may never know in its entirety. What is a safe bet, however, is that physical security will remain a critical element to the operations of many businesses, and for the vast majority of companies, a £1 increase to the living wage will not alter their need for professional security solutions that ensure peace of mind and protect their livelihood from harm.  

Increased Regulation Surrounding Alcohol

Alcohol is already a heavily regulated industry – whether it be Challenge 25, Licensing Act laws, or increased taxation. For much of that, there is good reason. However, new regulations are coming into effect – particularly in Scotland – that could prove game-changing for the security industry.

Late last year, changes were confirmed to Section 182 of the Licensing Act 2003, adding provisions to protect customers from drink spiking. Among the new measures was a greater focus on training for door staff, ensuring they can recognise spiked individuals and get them the help they need.

Alongside that, a greater push for professional doormen (and perhaps a dwindling appeal for in-house personnel) could prove beneficial for the security industry. More importantly, it serves as a reminder of the importance of strong training procedures, which ensure that officers have the expertise and knowledge to handle a broad range of situations.

In Scotland, further changes are afoot, with the government set to raise the MUP (Minimum Unit Price) of alcohol from 50p to 65p in September 2024. At the same time, there is also a proposed ban on alcohol adverts across TV and billboards in consultation. Either measure has the potential to have a knock-on effect to the pub and club industry, with increasing prices and limited marketing opportunities restricting foot traffic and perhaps reducing the need for security services.

Introduction Of Low Emission Zones

With environment policies drawing more and more into the public eye, some cities have begun to implement LEZ (Low Emission Zones) or CAZ (Clean Air Zones), in which certain vehicles must pay a daily charge to enter the area.

These zones are now in place across a dozen cities in the UK, most prominently London, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. However, they have faced substantial opposition from local residents and businesses. In 2023, a controversial ULEZ zone was widely blamed for Labour’s byelection defeat in Uxbridge, while businesses in Glasgow have blamed their LEZ for ‘harming city centre nightlife’.

If that is true, and the introduction of LEZ’s across the country is driving down traffic to hospitality venues, it could spell trouble for the sector, and by extension the security industry. Again, this may be something to keep track of over the following years, but already LEZ zones seem to be leaving their unique mark among local communities all over the UK.

The Bottom Line

As regulations change and the hospitality sector evolves to comply with them, so too must the security industry take a renewed look at its offerings and processes. This is something I’ve always been focused on, and will continue to do so as legislation comes into effect and the priorities of hospitality and other businesses shift in line with this.

Only by staying ahead of the curve, and adapting to fulfil the needs and requirements of our clients, can a security company continue to thrive in the hospitality industry. It’s something that all of us at Churchill remain committed to, and will continue to remain committed to throughout our journey.