Brand New Direct Debit Instructions (also known as Direct Debit Mandates)
When you create a new Direct Debit instruction for a member, the minimum period from setting the instruction up to be able to collect the first payment is 6-working days. This is called the Advance Notice Period.The Advance Notice period is a fundamental principle in the UK Direct Debit system, and we cannot collect a payment for a new instruction any sooner than this. Please Note - if you are using your own Direct Debit SUN then this period may be longer, this will be present on your existing Direct Debit guarantee.
Reinstates for previously cancelled Instructions, or a for a Member who has provided a new bank account
The timescales for being able to take a first payment following a resinstate of previous bank account details, or a change in bank account is the same as for a brand-new instruction, i.e. 6 working days.
Collection Cycle
When a payment is due from a member, the request for payment is sent to the bank 3-working days prior to the collection day. Once the request has been sent, it cannot be stopped by us, or your Direct Debit provider.
Day 1 - Payment request is sent to the bank
Day 2 - Bank processing day
Day 3 - Collection day
Day 4 - Results processed and returned to our system to update
Non-working days (weekends and bank holidays) are not included in the above count
Collections can never be taken on a non-working day. For example, if a member's regular payment day is the 1st of each month, and that date happens to fall on a Sunday in a month, the payment will instead be taken on the 2nd
A payment will always be debited from a member's bank account on the desired collection day. It can however be returned as a reversal (or credit) back into the member's account by their bank up to midnight on the collection day
Is is important therefore, if you are freezing or cancelling a membership, that you carry out this action at least 4-working days prior to the member's next due payment date
Can I speed up Direct Debit Processing?
Unfortunately not! Our Direct Debit services, whether through Clubright Pay or GoCardless, work to the quickest available timescales under UK Direct Debit Banking Regulations. There are no plans at the time of writing, where the banks have indicated they may speed UK processing up. If you require an instant payment, then taking that payment via Credit or Debit card will provide that solution.