Helping East Point Pavilion Thrive: How Recruiters Can Support Seasonal Staffing Success

​Ever wandered along Lowestoft seafront and spotted the beautiful glass structure of East Point Pavilion bustling with activity? As a recruiter who's worked closely with similar venues, I've seen firsthand how places like this become the heartbeat of coastal communities — especially during the busy summer months when visitor numbers soar and staffing needs change dramatically.

The Seasonal Staffing Challenge

Seasonal businesses like East Point Pavilion face a unique recruitment puzzle. When summer arrives, their staffing requirements can triple almost overnight. The vibrant food court, busy bar area, and packed events calendar all demand extra hands — from experienced baristas and mixologists to customer-facing servers and events staff.

During a recent visit to the pavilion, I chatted with one of the managers about their biggest business challenges. Their answer wasn't surprising: finding quality seasonal staff who can hit the ground running when visitor numbers peak.

"We need people who can maintain our standards during our busiest periods," they explained. "That's when we make the bulk of our annual revenue, so having the right team in place is absolutely critical."

Why Specialist Recruiters Make a Difference

This is precisely where specialist recruiters prove their worth. Having placed hundreds of candidates in hospitality and events roles across coastal towns, I've learned that successful seasonal staffing isn't just about filling positions — it's about understanding the unique rhythm of these businesses.

For venues like East Point Pavilion, recruiters bring several key advantages:

The pavilion houses multiple independent food traders alongside its house bar and café. Each requires staff with specific skills — from baristas who can perfect that morning coffee for commuters using the nearby train station, to bar staff who can handle the evening cocktail rush when live music draws in the crowds.

Recruitment specialists maintain talent pools of pre-vetted candidates with hospitality experience, meaning they can respond quickly when seasonal demand spikes. This saves management precious time during their busiest planning periods.

Understanding the local market is crucial. With Lowestoft being a seasonal destination, recruiters can tap into returning seasonal workers who might spend winters elsewhere but return to the coast each summer, bringing valuable experience and requiring minimal training.

A Day in the Life: What East Point Pavilion Staff Need

Walking around the pavilion during a busy Saturday, I observed the varied skills needed across different areas:

In the main food court area, staff were constantly adapting — from handling morning coffee rushes to managing the lunchtime food service peak, then transitioning to evening service when the atmosphere changes completely.

The bar area needed experienced staff who could work efficiently in a confined space while maintaining excellent customer service during peak periods.

What struck me most was how the glass pavilion design means staff are always "on stage" — there's nowhere to hide in this beautiful transparent structure, so customer service skills need to be consistently excellent.

Building a Flexible Workforce

The pavilion's varied calendar — from morning coffee service to evening events, weekend makers markets to weekday community activities — requires a flexible staffing approach.

Specialist recruiters can help build a workforce that combines:

• Core full-time staff who provide consistency year-round

• Seasonal staff who join during peak periods

• Flexible part-time team members who can scale their hours up or down based on the events calendar

• Students from local colleges who might want weekend or evening work

This blended approach helps venues like East Point Pavilion maintain quality service while managing costs effectively across quieter and busier periods.

The Hidden Benefits of Working with a Recruiter

Beyond just filling positions, working with recruiters offers venues like East Point Pavilion several less obvious advantages:

1. Local recruiters have their finger on the pulse of wage expectations in the area, helping venues set competitive rates that attract quality staff without overspending.

2. They can advise on the most effective staff structure — perhaps suggesting when to bring in temporary supervisors during peak periods to maintain service standards.

3. They understand local transport limitations (for example, knowing the last train time from the nearby Lowestoft station affects when staff can work evening shifts).

4. They can help create attractive job packages that might include benefits beyond wages — perhaps incentive schemes linked to the venue's busiest periods.

Creating Career Paths, Not Just Jobs

The most forward-thinking venues don't just view seasonal staff as temporary help — they see them as potential long-term team members. Recruiters can help identify candidates with management potential who might start in seasonal roles but grow into year-round positions.

East Point Pavilion's combination of food traders, events space, and community focus offers varied career progression opportunities. A team member might start serving in the food court but develop skills in events management or marketing as they become more involved with the venue's calendar of activities.

Planning Ahead for Success

For venues like East Point Pavilion, successful summer staffing actually begins in winter. February and March are ideal times to start building relationships with recruiters who can begin searching for summer staff before the rush begins.

This forward planning allows time for:

• Thorough training before peak season hits

• Team building activities so seasonal and permanent staff gel effectively

• Creating detailed handbooks and processes that maintain standards during busy periods

How to Get Started

If you're managing a venue like East Point Pavilion and looking to strengthen your staffing approach, here are some practical next steps:

1. Start conversations with recruiters who specialise in hospitality and events staffing at least 3 - 4 months before your peak season

2. Share your events calendar so recruiters understand exactly when your busy periods will occur

3. Consider creating an "ideal candidate" profile for each key position

4. Think about what makes your venue unique and how this can be used to attract staff

At Select Recruitment Specialists, we work closely with hospitality and events venues across the region to build flexible, resilient staffing solutions that scale with seasonal demands.

If you're managing a venue like East Point Pavilion and looking to strengthen your approach to seasonal staffing, get in touch with our team to discuss how we can support your specific needs.

Check out more about East Point Pavilion on their website: East Point Pavilion - Lowestoft

Author:

Helen Dawson- Divisional Manager, Hospitality