Holidays and closed days: close the calendar without losing bookings already sold
Christmas, bank holidays and refurbishments: mark closures before opening slots and avoid deposits on days you are not open.
Opening online bookings for the whole year without marking Christmas, New Year’s Eve or the refurbishment week is a recipe for awkward calls: “but I paid the deposit…” on a day the venue was closed.
Closures are not admin trivia: they are part of the promise your website makes.
What to configure before the season
- Closed days (no slots in the widget).
- Holidays with special hours or different price, if you open half a day.
- Import or review local holidays at the start of the school year.
In FastCore you manage this from Special dates → Closed (or reduced hours) in the dashboard — not with sticky notes at reception.
Close without breaking trust
- Close in the calendar first, then post on social if needed.
- If bookings already exist that day, handle them before a mass closure (date change or manual exception).
- Stay consistent: if the widget shows the day free, someone can pay a deposit.
Holiday vs weekday price
Some venues charge more on Sunday or bank holidays. If the price changes, it must show in the booking, not at the door. Related: weekend vs weekday pricing.
Quick checklist before September
- Is Easter week fully closed or only some days?
- One room under refurbishment in August?
- Different summer hours on Fridays?
Who books in July for October appreciates seeing the truth on screen.