Catering and event hire in the UK is facing an ongoing staffing crunch, with shortages affecting everything from warehouse crews to waiting staff. We explore why recruitment remains tough in 2025, how hybrid staffing models and better retention strategies can help, and why technology and training could be the key to keeping events running smoothly.
If you’ve tried to book a large wedding or corporate function recently, you’ll have noticed a big problem cropping up again and again—there just aren’t enough hands-on deck. From servers to drivers, porters to kitchen crews, staffing has become one of the biggest headaches in catering and event hire across the UK.
Despite the demand for events bouncing back in a big way, behind the scenes, many suppliers are stretched thin. So why are staffing shortages still such a major issue in 2025? And more importantly—what can we do to fix it?
Let’s dig into the causes, challenges, and practical solutions to keep the UK’s events industry thriving.
What’s behind the catering and event hire staff shortages?
The UK hospitality labour crisis didn’t start yesterday. It’s been building for years, and the pandemic only poured fuel on the fire. Brexit made it harder to hire EU workers. COVID pushed people to leave the sector entirely. And now, with fewer new recruits entering the industry, we’re still playing catch-up.
For catering and event hire companies, the fallout has been real. It’s not just about finding top chefs or event managers anymore—there’s a shortfall across the board: warehouse operatives, van drivers, kitchen porters, wait staff, bar teams, and cleaners.
With big summer weddings, conferences and festivals back in full swing, that shortfall hits hard.
Event hire recruitment: Why it’s still tough
Recruitment in event hire has its own unique challenges. It’s a fast-paced, seasonal, often last-minute world. One weekend you’ve got a few small parties; the next, you’re setting up three weddings, a corporate gala, and a festival—all at once.
And let’s be honest—event hire recruitment isn’t always the easiest sell. The work can be physical, the hours are long, and early mornings or late nights are standard fare. When you add in the logistical complexity of delivering and setting up everything from furniture hire to staging and lighting, you need reliable, experienced staff who know the ropes.
That kind of experience isn’t easy to find—and even harder to hold on to.
Temporary staffing solutions: A partial fix?
Many in the industry have turned to temporary staffing solutions as a way to plug gaps. Agencies provide a pool of on-demand workers who can be deployed at short notice, which is ideal for unpredictable event schedules.
But temp staff can only go so far. While they help fill shifts, they don’t always have the specialised knowledge needed for more complex wedding hire setups or corporate installs. And without strong onboarding or team cohesion, mistakes can happen—wrong deliveries, slow setups, or clashing service styles.
That’s why more companies are investing in hybrid models: a core of experienced full-timers, supported by flexible temp workers who can be trained up over time.
Retaining talent in a demanding sector
Retention is now just as important as recruitment. With so many leaving hospitality for better-paid or more flexible jobs in other sectors, keeping your best people matters more than ever.
What does workforce retention events look like in real terms? It’s about:
- Better pay: Competitive wages reflect the value and physical effort of the job
- Fair rotas: Balancing peak times with adequate rest and breaks
- Upskilling: Training staff to grow into team leader or logistics roles
- Team culture: Building a workplace people actually want to be part of
Some companies are even offering perks like bonus schemes, wellness days or recognition awards to boost morale.
It might sound small, but in a world where one positive workday can make or break someone’s decision to stay in the sector, these things count.
The technology advantage
While people are the heart of any great event, tech can help take the pressure off. Many catering and event hire companies are now using digital systems to:
- Streamline booking and scheduling
- Track furniture hire stock more efficiently
- Automate delivery routes
- Provide staff with mobile access to event specs and setup guides
This reduces the amount of manual admin and helps teams work smarter—not just harder. And when staff feel supported by good systems, they’re less likely to burn out or jump ship.
Tapping into new talent pools
Another way forward? Widen the recruitment net. There’s untapped potential out there—from students looking for flexible work, to retirees seeking occasional income, to career-switchers who want a job with variety and action.
Partnering with local colleges, community job boards, or even social media recruitment drives can help attract fresh faces into the world of event hire. And if you offer good training and a supportive atmosphere, you might just keep them.
Some companies are even launching their own training academies—bringing in newbies and giving them the skills to become reliable, long-term staff.
Collaboration is key
No single hire company or caterer can solve this alone. It’s going to take an industry-wide effort to tackle the UK hospitality labour crisis. Collaboration between venues, suppliers, and planners will be key.
- Share staffing where possible (e.g., one team covering two nearby events)
- Offer standardised training that’s recognised across companies
- Work with trade bodies to push for better working conditions and incentives
Together, we can raise the profile of the sector and make catering and event hire a career path worth choosing again.
How easyEventhire is stepping up
At easyEventhire, we’ve seen the impact of staffing shortages firsthand—and we’re not sitting still. We’re investing in better team training, supporting staff development, and improving tech to make life easier behind the scenes.
Whether it’s a full-scale wedding hire package, corporate furniture hire, or last-minute weekend events, our goal is to ensure reliable service every time—with people who love what they do.
We also partner with trusted temporary staffing agencies, ensuring that even in peak season, your event setup is smooth, professional, and on time.
Final thoughts: Fixing the foundations
There’s no doubt about it—staffing is still the biggest challenge facing catering and event hire in the UK. But it’s also an opportunity.
An opportunity to improve pay and working conditions. To modernise operations. To build career pathways that retain passionate, skilled workers. And to create an industry that values its people as much as it values its clients.
We all know that great events are about more than just furniture, food or décor—they’re about the people who bring them to life. So let’s invest in those people, and rebuild stronger than ever.
Need a trusted team to support your next event? Reach out to easyEventhire—we’re here with the kit, the people, and the know-how to make it happen.
