If you’re running a community centre, chances are you’ve asked yourself at least once: “How do we bring in more bookings without drowning in admin?”
It’s a common challenge. Community spaces thrive when they’re full of activity, but managing that activity can eat up precious time. From chasing emails to juggling calendars, the admin load can quickly overshadow the real purpose of your venue — creating a place of belonging.
We recently spoke with Jill Kayser from St Heliers Community Centre, who shared how her team has grown their bookings while actually freeing up time to focus on people and programmes. Her story is full of practical lessons any community venue manager can use.
“We used to be quite heavy on administration. Now we find we’re freed up from that. It gives our minds more opportunity to activate and think about: who are the people that live in this community, what are their needs, and how can we respond?”
Jill Kayser, General Manager, St Heliers Community Centre.
Let’s unpack what worked for St Heliers and how you can apply the same strategies.
Growing bookings isn’t just about filling rooms. It’s about building a sense of belonging that keeps people coming back. At St Heliers, the centre works closely with the surrounding “village” — from exercise classes and rhyme time with the library to casual coffee catchups after sessions.
Each activity strengthens the connection between the centre and its local community. The more people feel part of your venue, the more likely they are to book, attend, and recommend it.
“Whatever happens here impacts the local village — economically but also socially. We want this to be a place where people have fun, laugh, and contribute to society.”
Jill
If your team is buried under paperwork, you’ll struggle to grow. Jill was clear about the shift to SpacetoCo that made the difference at St Heliers: outsourcing and automating the admin side.
Whether it’s moving bookings online, automating payments, or streamlining communication, every step that takes work off your plate creates space for more creative, community-focused projects.
Ask yourself:
Which repetitive tasks could be automated?
What admin could be outsourced to free up your staff?
Where can technology help you spend less time on forms and more time with people?
One of Jill’s biggest insights was about thinking beyond Sundays. Churches, halls, and centres often sit empty for big chunks of the week. Opening up that “unused” time is a simple way to grow bookings without needing more space.
“We use our centre on Sundays, but what about Monday to Saturday? What about nighttime? How do we make this not just our place, but their space?”
Jill
Encourage your community to see your venue as a hub — not just a facility. That might mean yoga on Tuesdays, support groups on Thursdays, and birthday parties on weekends.
Another lesson Jill shared is the importance of listening closely to your community. For example, she spotted a gap for older residents who live alone and often feel isolated. Her dream? A regular lunch that brings them together.
But identifying the need is only step one — the challenge is reaching the people who would benefit most. That’s why staying curious, testing ideas, and collaborating with local groups is so important.
Partnerships create ripple effects. At St Heliers, teaming up with the local library means families who come for rhyme time also discover children’s activities at the library. Fitness classes lead to social coffees that strengthen community ties.
These partnerships not only boost bookings but also amplify the value your venue offers.
4 mins
How to reduce bookings admin by 80%
Online bookings for community centres
Helpful Resource: Community Hubs as Anchors in Place – insights from UK community organisations
Q: What’s the quickest way to free up my team’s time?
Start with booking admin. Moving bookings, payments, and confirmations online can save hours each week.
Q: How can I attract new groups to my space?
Look at what’s missing locally — from social groups to fitness classes — and reach out to potential organisers. Partnerships can help fill those gaps.
Q: Do I need a big facility to grow bookings?
Not at all. Even a small hall or meeting room can be valuable if it’s accessible, affordable, and welcoming.
Growing venue bookings is as much about community connections as it is about filling calendars.
Freeing your team from admin gives them time to focus on people and programmes.
Use your space creatively: think beyond Sundays or “peak hours.”
Stay curious about unmet community needs and test ideas.
Partnerships multiply your impact and boost bookings.
If you want to learn more about how to grow your venue bookings and free up your team, explore our resources for community venue managers see more stories from community centres we work with or book a demo to see how SpacetoCo can help.