Case study from Made Grand. Project: St James Wine Vaults. Focus: . Outcome: A custom WordPress events platform that helps a community pub promote live music, manage recurring events and support venue hire enquiries.
Events
St James Wine Vaults
A custom WordPress website built to support event discovery, promotion and venue bookings.
A custom events website that helps a community pub promote live music, classes and venue hire.
Visit St James Wine Vaults →
The Problem
St James Wine Vaults is a grass-roots music venue and community pub with a regular programme of events.
The existing website relied on a widely used page builder that created usability and maintenance issues.
The venue needed a more reliable and engaging digital presence to promote events and venue hire.
The new site also needed to support a wide range of activities, from live music to yoga classes and private events.
The Challenge
Replace the restrictive page builder setup with a more flexible and reliable system.
Create a dynamic events management system capable of handling recurring events.
Preserve the recognisable feel of the old site while improving usability and structure.
Make it easier for visitors to discover events and for organisers to submit booking requests.
“A custom events platform that helps a community pub promote live music, classes and venue hire.”
What we built
We focused on building a flexible events platform that supports the venue’s busy schedule while keeping the browsing experience simple and engaging.
- Custom WordPress website development.
- Bespoke dynamic events management system.
- Recurring event functionality for classes and regular activities.
- Event listing and scheduling tools for venue administrators.
- Venue booking request forms for event organisers and party planners.
- Downloadable event information packs detailing equipment and venue hire terms.
Outcome
The new website has become a central tool for the venue, supporting both event promotion and venue hire enquiries.
- A clear and engaging events listing that encourages attendance.
- Increased usage of the booking request form from organisers and planners.
- Simplified event discovery for visitors and regular pub-goers.
- A flexible platform that supports the venue’s evolving events programme.
“Paul has been a great help in gaining some new traction to our business by building an all-new interactive website for us from the ground up. His work has been swift and thoughtful as he has taken on board all aspects that we wished to implement and more. His willingness to help even after the launch has been much appreciated and we are very happy to have worked alongside him. We couldn’t recommend him more.”
— Matt, St James Wine Vaults.
What This Included
- Designed a clear event discovery structure so visitors can easily see what is happening.
- Built a bespoke backend for adding and scheduling events efficiently.
- Separated recurring classes such as yoga from the main event listings.
- Retained elements of the previous design while improving navigation and usability.
Reflection
Community venues depend on visibility and connection. When events are easy to discover and organisers can book the space easily, the website becomes an essential part of the venue’s ecosystem.
If you're wrestling with a digital idea, an existing platform or a system that's no longer doing its job, we're happy to talk it through.
You don't need a polished brief to get started.
Start a conversation
