Helping organisations develop venue hire strategies that generate sustainable income without compromising their values. Whether that’s reviewing pricing and package margins, streamlining venue hire systems and processes, or building new space-led income streams, let’s start from the understanding that venue hire is about more than income generation, and that its measures of success should reflect that.
At a time when funding is shrinking and operational costs are rising, venue hire is rightly valued as a critical income stream. But it’s also something more. Every hire opens the door to people who might never otherwise step foot in your building, creating pathways to new audiences, deeper community relationships, and opportunities that go far beyond the financial return on a single booking.
Consultancy Services
Strategic support for cultural charities looking to develop, review, or grow their venue hire and workspace offers. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining what’s already in place, this could include venue hire strategy, pricing and margin reviews, booking system implementation, or workspace and membership development.
Research & Writing
Published in Arts Professional on the value of venue hire as an engagement tool, and author of research exploring the professional identity and practice of hire managers in the cultural sector. Presented at the Cultural Enterprises Conference 2026 on approaching venue hire through a workspace lens.
Venue Hire Discussion Group
Do you manage venue hire and/or workspace in an arts, culture, heritage, or charitable organisation? Register your interest in joining this monthly discussion with venue hire contemporaries from across the UK.
A freelance business development consultant with a specialism in venue hire strategy, targeted offer development, and event booking system implementation for charitable arts and culture organisations.
With a keen understanding of financial sustainability in the charitable sector, Carolyn is passionate about finding ways to deliver value-led commercial services that enable organisations to fulfil their missions sustainably. Her work draws on over twenty years in the arts and culture sector, the majority of which has been spent developing and delivering earned income strategies across performing arts venues, heritage sites, and cultural centres – spanning venue hire, workspace, hospitality, and membership.
Carolyn holds an MA in Arts Policy & Management, and her research and writing explores the professional identity and practice of venue hire managers within the cultural sector. She runs a monthly Venue Hire Discussion Group for professionals working across arts, heritage, and charitable venues, and is an associate consultant with Stephen Spencer & Associates.
Consultancy services for charities and organisations looking to develop, review, or grow their venue hire and workspace offers.
Venue hire strategy
A review of how your organisation approaches venue hire, from pricing structures and package margins to how hire activity sits within your wider organisational goals. Whether you’re looking to grow an established offer or build one from the ground up.
Booking system implementation & training
Support with selecting, implementing, and embedding event booking and venue hire systems. Including process design, staff training, and making sure the software you’re using actually works for the way your organisation operates.
Targeted offer development
Developing hire offers that reach the right audiences. Using audience segmentation to identify who your spaces could attract, refining packages to match their needs, and building approaches that treat venue hirers as part of your wider audience development strategy.
Available for consultancy, speaking engagements, and research projects. Whether you’re looking for strategic support with your venue hire offer or want to explore how your spaces could generate more sustainable income, get in touch to start a conversation.
Carolyn Ehman | Creative & Cultural Business Development 