Handling Community vs Commercial Rates on SpacetoCo

Introduction

This guide explains how Hosts (like Councils, Community Centres, and Facility Managers) can manage different rates for community users versus commercial customers. Many organisations want to support local not-for-profits while still charging appropriate fees to businesses.

When to Use This

Use this article if you:

• Have different levels of fees and charges for different customer groups.
• Want to understand how SpacetoCo can accommodate community vs commercial pricing.
• Need guidance on keeping fees simple and user-friendly online.

How It Works

1. Differential pricing supported – SpacetoCo allows you to set different rates for community/not-for-profits (sometimes called “Standard” rates) and businesses (Commercial rates).
2. Keep it simple – Too many options can confuse Customers, especially when you’re managing both casual and regular hirers. Aim for clear categories rather than multiple small variations.
3. Best practice guidance – We’ve created a full resource on structuring fees for Councils and Community Centres: Fees & Charges for Local Government – The Ultimate Guide.
4. Customer Experience Workshop – If you’d like help reviewing your fees, SpacetoCo can run a Customer Experience Workshop to analyse your user journey and recommend improvements. Contact us at hello@spacetoco.com to find out more.

FAQs

Q: Can we have multiple community rate types (e.g. sports clubs vs. charities)?
A: You can, but we recommend keeping categories simple so Customers aren’t confused when booking online.

Q: Do commercial rates have to be higher?
A: Yes, most Councils and community facilities apply higher rates for businesses. This reflects the market value of the space and helps subsidise community access.

Q: How do Customers know which rate applies to them?
A: Rates are displayed clearly on the booking page. For regular hirers, verification processes can help confirm eligibility for community pricing.