Seasonal, temporary & holiday jobs in the Lake District
Cumbria has rolling hills, wild landscapes and great walking – but how can you earn enough to pay your way? Here’s our guide to backpacker and seasonal jobs in Cumbria.
Traditionally driven by manufacturing and agriculture, the decline in both industries has hit Cumbria hard. In the last decade it has struggled to keep up with the economic growth of other British regions. So change is afoot. Tourism and service businesses are expanding to create more jobs. They have always been restricted by National Park status and planning guidelines but regional and national redevelopment schemes are aimed at helping local businesses to launch and grow.
The latest research into Cumbrian employment statistics also suggests that, while the professional and management jobs are being filled by suitable candidates, many lower-paid jobs are not as easily filled. In other words, hospitality, retail and administration jobs are more readily available.
In 2007, Cumbria’s colleges and institutes united to form the University of Cumbria, which is undergoing redevelopment to attract more students and provide local businesses with a resource for skilled employees.
Seasonal Tourism Opportunities
Cumbria and the Lake District is extremely popular with British and overseas tourists. This translates into a seasonal demand for additional staff in the catering and hospitality industry. Some positions may be live-in, which includes your accommodation and food. Don’t forget to check out vacant positions in local bars and restaurants as they gear up for a busy summer season – and, if you are interested in working with children, contact Cumbria Council to find out about their summer holiday playschemes.
Where to find temporary jobs
- Register with the agencies: this is best done in person, taking printed copies of your CV (resume) – be prepared to take a typing test! Look up Quartet Recruitment, Regent, Halcyon and Match Recruitment.
- Off the cuff: Shops, bars and hotels often need extra staff – people to help with catering and childcare in summer, retail assistants, waiters and bar staff in the winter. Many will accept in-person job applications – and you could make a better impact than by sending in your CV in the traditional manner.
- Pick up the jobs pages: Cumbrian Newspapers (publishers of the Cumberland News and North West Evening Mail) publishes its jobs online (http://www.cumbriajobfinder.co.uk/?newspaperid=3).
Finding accommodation in Cumbria
Accommodation in Cumbria and the Lake District can be expensive, so first try the University – it offers short-term lets during the student holidays. As well as great rates you’ll enjoy shared facilities with like-minded travellers and working students. Look online for information (http://www.conferencecumbria.co.uk/).
Getting a work permit
If you are resident (or studying) in the UK, or you have an EU passport, you do not have to seek permission to work in the UK. If you’re not a registered student, you have a non-EU visa, and you wish to work for longer than one month, you will need to get a Work Permit from the Home Office. Tax is a complicated issue. Firstly, income tax is not payable unless you stay in the UK for more than six months. And even then, you will not have to pay tax on the first £5,435 (the 2008 threshold) that you have earned. If your employer puts you straight onto an ‘emergency’ tax code, then you may be entitled to a refund when you finish work.