Summer events spark hiring surge with a million jobs created in hospitality

England fans celebrate Jude Bellingham scoring as they watch a screening of the match between Serbia and England at the BOXPark Wembley in London

The hospitality sector is preparing to recruit approximately one million workers to cater for summer events, according to research.

A surge in hiring is anticipated due to the Euro 2024 football tournament, the Olympics, staycations and Taylor Swift's UK tour. Caterer.com, a job site, said that immigration rules continue to significantly impact recruitment, leading most hospitality businesses to seek UK workers.

The study, which surveyed 100 hospitality firms and 2,000 workers, also revealed concerns about recruiting roles such as chefs and general management. Calvern James from Caterer.com commented: "Hospitality recruiters have swapped the EU for Edinburgh and Essex as they become increasingly more creative in finding talent within the UK."

He added: "This could be a hotel in Devon advertising to workers in Scotland, or a Yorkshire cafe targeting people thinking of leaving London. The sector has remained resilient in the face of unprecedented challenges in recent years and tough immigration rules have made businesses look for workers in less conventional places."

He concluded: "Businesses finding the most success in recruiting from different parts of the UK are prioritising new perks and initiatives, like accommodation support and more comprehensive onboarding, while developing their employer brand to appeal to a broader audience."