Temporary Hospitality Staffing: The Smart Solution for Seasonal Demand in the UK

Is your hospitality business bracing for the summer rush, a holiday spike, or event season? You’re not alone. From bustling coastal resorts to winter ski lodges and packed-out theme parks, seasonal peaks are a defining feature of the UK hospitality industry.

But with demand comes pressure: how do you scale your workforce to meet it—without inflating your payroll during quieter months?

Temporary hospitality staffing offers a strategic, flexible, and cost-effective answer. In this guide, we explore why hiring temporary staff is the perfect solution for seasonal demand—and how it benefits both employers and workers alike.

The Long-Term Value of Temporary Hospitality Staffing
While often seen as a short-term fix, temporary hospitality staffing can support long-term growth strategies for businesses. By maintaining a pool of reliable seasonal workers who return year after year, employers can reduce recruitment time and improve team cohesion during busy periods. Additionally, temporary hospitality staffing offers a low-risk way to trial potential full-time employees—giving managers the chance to assess fit and performance before making long-term commitments. This strategic use of temporary roles builds a flexible, experienced talent pipeline that strengthens the business year after year.

These temporary hospitality staffing workers can be students, although transient, they return home for extended periods and are looking for work to supplement their studies.  Retired or semi retired locals who do not want to commit to regular hours can really enjoy the opportunity to pick and choose working for a short stint.

Why Employers Should Consider Temporary Hospitality Staffing

Temporary hospitality staffing allows hospitality businesses to adapt swiftly to changing demand—without sacrificing service quality or operational efficiency.

✅ Flexibility

Temporary hospitality staffing gives you the power to scale up (or down) your workforce in real-time.
Example: A hotel expecting full occupancy during the Easter break can onboard temporary front desk staff, cleaners, and porters—then scale back once the holiday wave passes.

✅ Cost Savings

Hiring temporary staff can significantly reduce employment costs:

• No long-term salary commitments

• Lower spend on pensions, benefits, and holiday pay

• Only paying for staff when demand requires it

This is especially useful in cost-sensitive environments like restaurants, hotels, wedding and event venues, where margins can be tight.

✅ Improved Efficiency

Many temp staff are pre-trained and industry-savvy. Through trusted recruitment agencies like Goldstar, businesses can access:

• Qualified chefs

• Skilled waitstaff

• Event support staff
  …with little to no lead time, ensuring high service standards even during spikes.

How Temporary Hospitality Jobs Benefit Workers and Boost Careers

Temporary roles aren’t just filler jobs—they’re career accelerators for many in the hospitality industry.

💼 Gain Experience Fast

New to hospitality? Temp jobs offer hands-on exposure in customer service, events, operations, and food & beverage—all great for building a CV or transitioning from school into the workforce.

🤝 Build a Professional Network

Each temporary role introduces workers to new managers, mentors, and teams—creating a web of opportunities for referrals and future full-time positions.  Connect with other seasonal and temporary workers on LinkedIn so you can keep in touch

🌍 Explore Diverse Roles

Temp jobs let people experiment with different hospitality paths:

• Concierge in a boutique hotel

• Server at a summer festival

• Tour guide at a seaside resort

The variety helps individuals discover their strengths and passions.

Real Examples: Seasonal Temporary Hospitality Staffing Success Stories

🎢 Chessington World of Adventures

During summer, this UK theme park sees nearly 60% of its annual visitors in just six weeks. To meet demand, they hire nearly 1,000 seasonal staff, with students making up over 80% of the workforce during peak periods.

🏖️ The RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution)

To keep UK beaches safe between Easter and October, the RNLI employs around 1,600 temporary lifeguards. This seasonal staffing model ensures safety coverage without the cost of year-round employment.

The same story is repeated across the hospitality industry, for sports venues during their respective seasons  Wedding venues through the natural seasonal peaks and troughs and also hotels and restaurants through times like the Christmas period, but even for single days like Mothers & Fathers Day, 

Tips for Managing Temporary Hospitality Staffing Successfully

Hiring temp staff is just the start—how you manage them determines your success.

📅 Start Early

Don’t wait until peak season to hire. Begin recruitment months in advance so your team is trained and ready before the rush.

📚 Onboard Thoroughly

Temporary doesn’t mean unimportant. Provide:

• Role-specific training

• Clear job expectations

• Team introductions and brand values

This ensures a smoother, more consistent guest experience.

💬 Communicate Clearly

Frequent check-ins and feedback sessions help keep temp staff aligned and engaged. Be open, fair, and supportive.

🎁 Offer Incentives

To attract top talent, offer:

• Flexible shifts

• Commuter allowances

• Bonuses for completed seasons or high performance

These small extras boost commitment and morale.

Final Thoughts: Temporary Staffing Is a Win-Win for Hospitality

In a sector defined by change and customer expectations, temporary staffing in hospitality offers the agility you need.
Employers get flexibility, savings, and service continuity.
Workers gain valuable experience, variety, and connections.

It’s not just a short-term fix—it’s a long-term advantage.

🚀 Need Help Hiring Seasonal Hospitality Staff?

At Goldstar Recruitment, we specialise in providing ready-to-work, short-term hospitality staff across London, Oxford, The Cotswolds, and beyond.
From chefs and servers to front desk staff and housekeeping teams—we’ll find the right people for your seasonal surge.

📥 Contact us today or call 01865 249 389 for a free consultation.
Let us take the stress out of seasonal hiring—so you can focus on delivering unforgettable guest experiences.