- Recruitment is getting underway for the thousands of temporary vacancies created by Edinburgh’s two major Festivals in August
- The Scottish capital, which has Scotland’s highest property prices[1] and an average monthly cost of living of nearly £900,[2] generates countless extra earning opportunities during the month-long Festival period
- Analysis by the online marketplace for temporary work, Indeed Flex, shows that temp bar jobs pay an average of £12.62 per hour in August[3] – meaning that pulling pints for just four four-hour shifts a week could earn you £807 during Festival season
- Graeme Windsor from Signature Group, which runs bars and restaurants across Scotland, relies on Indeed Flex during the Fringe to “recruit extra team members to cope with the sharp increase in footfall across Edinburgh”
London, 23 May, 2024 — With less than three months to go until millions of visitors descend on Edinburgh for August’s Festival season, employers in the Scottish capital have begun recruiting for the thousands of temporary staff needed to help them through the busiest month of the year.
New analysis by the online marketplace for temporary work, Indeed Flex, shows demand for bar staff is especially strong. With temporary bar work paying an average of £12.62 per hour[3], temps who pull pints for four four-hour shifts a week can pocket £807 during the four weeks of the Fringe Festival[3].
While the Fringe is the world’s largest arts festival and has served as a launch pad for the careers of countless actors and comedians, it can also be a great earning opportunity for Edinburgh locals keen to serve food and drink while they soak up the atmosphere.
Official data shows Edinburgh has the highest property costs in Scotland[1], and soaring inflation means a single person living in the city typically spends £896 per month, excluding rent[2].
Getting into the Festival spirit comes with a hefty price tag too – with Fringe fans having to shell out for theatre tickets, not to mention £5 on average for a pint of beer and £15 even for a meal in an inexpensive restaurant.
Indeed Flex, which is an official sponsor of the 2024 Fringe, offers Edinburgh locals a quick and easy way to pick up extra work before, during and after the festival, while offering a lifeline to employers who need to ramp up their workforce during what for many is their busiest time of the year.
For example, Signature Group, which runs a string of bars and restaurants across Scotland, uses Indeed Flex to staff its Edinburgh venues throughout the Festival season.
Graeme Windsor, Executive Sous Chef at Signature Group, comments: “August in Edinburgh brings the Fringe Festival. We always prepare for this in a number of ways and one is to recruit extra team members to help us cope with the sharp increase in footfall seen across the city.
“We need extra flexibility in our kitchens to cope with busy periods that can bring sudden surges of guests. By providing extra help to our permanent teams, we can protect their wellbeing while also ensuring we keep up our high standards for every customer.
“Indeed Flex is able to organise high quality, well-trained temporary staff who are great to work with and have supported at several of our venues across this busy period.
“Using temps like this enables us to maximise our August revenue and support our existing team in a flexible way. The Indeed Flex platform is easy to use and its support team has been great too.”
Novo Constare, CEO and Co-founder of Indeed Flex, said: “Edinburgh comes alive during Festival season, but with the huge influx of visitors from around the world comes the need for local businesses to find extra hands to help keep everything running smoothly.
“Indeed Flex is proud to be sponsoring the 2024 Fringe, and our online marketplace will feature hundreds of temporary jobs across Edinburgh this August, including front of house and bar work that are essential to both festivals.
“Whether you live in Edinburgh or are just visiting, temping during Festival season is the perfect way to earn while you enjoy, with the flexibility to fit work seamlessly around your friends, family or Fringe commitments.