Community Hall usage has increased by 326%

Community usage has increased 326% since Pocklington Community Trust took over the management of the Community Hall from ERYC

We are delighted to report booking hours have increased by over 300%, from 35 hours in September 2024, the month prior to our taking over the hall, rising to 149 book hours in September this year. Since taking over from ERYC on 1st October 2024, our new hire tariff and new on-line booking system have made the Community Hall more affordable and accessible to all. By halving hire charges, bookings have increased threefold. Our volunteer booking team provide a friendly and responsive support to new hirers. The improved customer service has helped to drive the rapid increase in bookings hours.

 In October last year there were only 16 bookings in the month.  Fast forward twelve months and there are currently 75 booking in the hall for October 2025. Annual forward bookings for 2026, at 1,518 hours already exceed bookings for this year by 8%.

Enhancements to the hall’s functionality and operational capabilities planned for 2025/26 will enable it to be a more flexible and well-equipped venue for a wider range of activities. Additional marketing and promotional activity, in conjunction with increased community engagement and new hall signage should ensure greater awareness and help drive further growth.

All this has only been made possible by the efforts of our dedicated team of community volunteers who manage the booking system and open and close the hall for hirer. The Trustee would like to express their gratitude for all their help and support in the first year of running the Community Hall.

We would also like to thank local residents, businesses, charities and other groups for their continued support through hiring the hall. As we begin to open-up Burnby Hall for community use, we will adopt the same strategy of making the building accessible and affordable to all.