About Venue Capacity Check
Work out how many people your venue can legally hold, on what evidence, and which duties that figure triggers.
What is on this site
One question, "venue capacity calculator", answered with a checker that works on the page with no account, 4 guides on the questions around it, a data table you can cite (the figures and their method), and the sources every figure rests on.
- How to calculate venue capacity: the five accepted methods: Fire safety occupancy, historic attendance data, fixed seating, ticket limits and licence restrictions are all accepted ways to establish a venue capacity figure.
- Safe occupancy and your fire risk assessment: where the number lives: The Fire Safety Order requires a fire risk assessment for non-domestic premises. The safe occupancy figure it produces is the most reusable capacity number you own.
- Capacity conditions on a premises licence: what actually binds you: The Licensing Act 2003 sets no national capacity figure. A capacity limit binds you only where it appears as a condition on the premises licence itself.
- What your capacity figure triggers: 200, 800 and everything below: Capacity is not just a number on a wall. It decides escape route provision, licence conditions and which tier of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 applies.
Reach us
Contact for a question about the site, or enquiries@venuecapacitycheck.co.uk. The legal terms are on Terms and Privacy.
Venue Capacity Check is an independent information site operated by Ellul Solutions Ltd. It is not affiliated with any government department, fire and rescue authority, licensing authority or the Security Industry Authority, and nothing here is legal advice. Capacity figures depend on the specific layout, use and exit provision of your premises: confirm yours with a competent fire risk assessor and your licensing authority before relying on it.