The temporary work boom in Edinburgh begins as festival employment increases

With less than three months until millions of visitors arrive in Edinburgh for the August festival season, employers in Scotland’s capital have begun recruiting thousands of temporary workers.

New analysis from temporary labor market Indeed Flex shows that demand for bar workers is particularly high. Given that a temporary bar job costs an average of £12.62 an hour, those who drink pints over four four-hour shifts a week could earn £807 over the four weeks of Fringe.

Official figures show Edinburgh has the highest property costs in Scotland, and rising inflation means a single person living in the city typically spends £896 a month, excluding rent.

Indeed, Flex, which is the official sponsor of Fringe 2024, is working with a number of local employers to ensure adequate staffing.

Signature Group, which operates a range of bars and restaurants across Scotland, uses Indeed Flex to run its Edinburgh properties throughout the season.

Graeme Windsor, sous chef at Signature Group, commented: “We are always preparing for August in many ways – one of which is recruiting additional team members to help us cope with the surge in visitor numbers across the city.

“We need additional flexibility in our kitchens to cope with busy periods that may involve a sudden influx of guests.

“By providing additional support to our permanent teams, we can protect their well-being while ensuring we maintain high standards for every client.