In this episode of The Village Halls Podcast, host Marc Smith interviews Bernard Hammick, Managing Director of Hallmaster, a digital booking system tailored for village halls and community venues. Bernard shares his journey into the digital realm, which began in the late 1990s when he developed a website for his campsite to provide detailed information and facilitate email communications with customers. This experience led him to create websites for local businesses and, eventually, to develop a bespoke booking system for a village hall seeking an online solution for availability and reservations.
Recognising a broader need, Bernard expanded Hallmaster to serve various venues across the UK, emphasizing the importance of an online presence for village halls to secure regular income through direct bookings. He discusses the evolution of Hallmaster, highlighting its role in streamlining operations and enhancing accessibility for both administrators and patrons. The conversation underscores the necessity for community venues to embrace digital tools to remain relevant and efficient in today’s technology-driven landscape.
This episode offers valuable insights for anyone involved in managing village halls or community spaces, illustrating how digital solutions like Hallmaster can transform venue management and community engagement.