Configuring Direct Debit

EventWorks collects subscription payments by Direct Debit through GoCardless, our payment partner. Once a mandate is in place, your monthly invoices are settled automatically — no need to remember to pay each one.

Why Use Direct Debit

Automatic — invoices are collected on the due date with no action from you
Predictable — you receive an email notification 3 working days before any payment is taken
Reversible — Direct Debits are covered by the Direct Debit Guarantee, so you can cancel or claim a refund through your bank
Multi-territory — Direct Debit (BACS) is supported in the UK, with equivalent local schemes available in other supported countries

Before You Start

Make sure your Billing Details are up to date — your company name, address, and email are pre-filled into the GoCardless setup form when you start the process.

You'll need:

Your bank account details (sort code and account number, or local equivalent)
Authority to set up Direct Debit payments on the account

Setting Up Your Direct Debit Mandate

Go to Settings > Billing
Scroll to the Payment method panel
Click Set up Direct Debit mandate
You'll be taken to a secure GoCardless page. Your company name, email, and address are pre-filled — review and adjust if needed.
Enter your bank account details and confirm you're authorised to set up Direct Debit payments on the account.
Submit the form. GoCardless will take you back to EventWorks and confirm that the mandate has been set up.

Once set up, the Payment method panel shows a green tick and the message "Direct Debit mandate set up".

Note: Setting up the mandate doesn't trigger an immediate payment. The first collection happens on the due date of your next invoice.

What Happens After Setup

Each new invoice is collected automatically by Direct Debit.
3 working days before collection, GoCardless emails you a notification telling you the date and amount that will be collected.
On the collection date, the payment is taken from your bank account.
Once collected, the payment shows in the History section of your Billing page — see Invoices & Payment History.

Tip: Add notifications@gocardless.com to your safe-sender list so the advance-notice emails don't end up in spam.

Paying Without Direct Debit

If you choose not to set up a Direct Debit, you can still pay invoices manually by following the payment instructions on each invoice. Setting up Direct Debit is recommended but not required.

Cancelling or Changing Your Mandate

Your mandate is managed by your bank and by GoCardless, not from inside EventWorks.

To cancel a mandate, contact your bank or use the cancellation link in any GoCardless notification email. Cancelling a mandate doesn't cancel your EventWorks subscription — outstanding invoices will still need to be paid manually.
To change the bank account used for collections, cancel the existing mandate (with your bank or GoCardless) and then set up a new mandate from the Billing page as described above.

Warning: If you cancel your Direct Debit but still have an unpaid invoice, it stays unpaid until you settle it manually. Contact your account manager if you're switching payment methods to avoid service interruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is my bank information stored by EventWorks?

No. Your bank account details are entered directly into GoCardless's secure system — EventWorks never sees them.

Q: How much notice do I get before a payment is taken?

GoCardless sends an advance-notice email 3 working days before any payment is collected, showing the amount and date.

Q: I'm not in the UK — can I still pay by Direct Debit?

Yes. GoCardless supports equivalent Direct Debit schemes in several other countries. The setup process is the same — the form adapts based on the country in your billing address.

Q: What if a payment fails?

GoCardless will email you to let you know. You'll typically be able to retry the collection. If a payment can't be collected after retries, contact your account manager to settle the invoice manually.

Q: Can I switch my payment to a different bank account?

Yes — cancel your existing mandate with your bank or via GoCardless, then click Set up Direct Debit mandate again from the Billing page to create a new one.