What If Your Space Could Do More Than You Think?

There’s a Conversation I Keep Having Lately…

It starts with curiosity and a sense that venue hire could be part of the answer.

‘We’d love to open up the space more. Bring the community in. And let’s be honest — the extra income would really help.’

But then comes the hesitation.

‘We’re not a big city church. We’re not glossy or well-resourced. Is it actually worth the effort?’

Sometimes the idea’s been on the table for years, but it’s never gone further. Everyone agrees it could help, but no one’s had the time, energy, or clarity to figure out what comes next.

And under all of that, there’s usually a deeper, quieter question:

Is it even possible for us?

And honestly, I get it.

Every place I work with is doing their best. Most are running on limited staff and generous volunteers, with leaders quietly carrying the weight of three or four roles. I love the teams I meet. They care deeply about their congregations, their communities, and their callings. But with so much going on, venue hire often stays stuck at the idea stage. Or it gets launched with the best intentions, but never quite reaches its potential.

I’ve found that most people just don’t realise what’s possible because they haven’t seen it done well, or had the time to sit down and work it through.

I remember sitting with one church team and gently saying, ‘This space could probably bring in £750,000 a year.’ They looked at me in disbelief. At the time, they were making under £100,000. But then it started to happen, and the excitement hit; the belief that maybe more was possible than they had previously thought.

As we brought structure to their work — clearer pricing, better systems, stronger messaging — things started to shift. And that belief began to grow.

That’s why I wrote More Than a Building.

To share what I’ve learnt about what makes venue hire work — not just in theory, but in practice. It’s not complicated, but it does take clarity. And that’s what this guide is here to give you.

What This Guide Can Help You Do

If you’re reading this, chances are you already know your space could be doing more. You might be facing rising costs, reduced giving, or simply trying to steward your building well.

But figuring out how to run venue hire in a way that’s sustainable, mission-aligned, and actually manageable can feel overwhelming.

This guide is designed to help you move forward — without needing to be a venue expert or a marketing whizz. Just someone who wants to get this right.

• Clear advice on pricing, systems, and policies
• Guidance on branding, bookings, and boundaries
• Practical insight into what clients actually want
• Ideas for marketing that reflect your values
• A way to grow income that feels sustainable, not stressful

It’s not a magic formula. But it’s honest, field-tested, and full of things I wish every venue knew from the start.

The book is available now for just £4.99, and because I know your time is limited, your responsibilities are wide, and your team is already stretched, I’ve made it readable and focused. It takes about an hour to go through, but it could save you months of trial and error.

→ Download the E-book Here

Not Quite Ready? Start Here

If you’re not quite ready to read the full guide, I’ve also created a Venue Hire Checklist — a free tool that gives you a bird’s-eye view of what good venue hire looks like.

It’ll help you spot any gaps, prioritise what to focus on, and have clearer conversations with your team.

→ Download the Free Checklist

But if you’re ready to dig deeper and rethink how your space is used, improve your offer, and build something that serves both your mission and your community, the e-book is the place to begin.