Manchester is soon to become home to a bustling community of new and returning students this month as the next academic year begins.
And plenty of those students will be looking to work alongside their studies.
As anyone who is or has ever been a student will tell you, university is as much about getting to enjoy the full experience of living in a new city and everything that city has to offer, as it is walking away with a degree at the end of it of your time there – but this generally comes at a price.
The cost of student life doesn’t tend to be cheap, and, like everything else at the moment, it’s sadly only on the rise, which is why so many students are keen to get themselves a part-time or flexible job that can slot around their studies in an environment where they are respected and have the freedom to earn the money they want.
Striking the right balance between finding time for work and studies can be tricky, but one local recruitment company is making this easier than ever before.
Based in the heart of Manchester and operating across the whole of the city-region, Easy Staffing is a unique solution to your employment needs that offers you complete flexibility of where and when you work within the hospitality sector.
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Founded by business owner and director Reece Deignon with the mission to “make the industry’s best matches”, he used his many years of experience working within all sides of the recruitment industry – both traditional agencies and app-based agencies – to combine the best of these strategies and create his own vision.
“Easy Staffing was created on the foundations of wanting to make a difference,” Mr Deignon explains.
“Our passion is to see both clients and members succeed.”
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What makes Easy Staffing different to other recruitment apps?
Easy Staffing offers a “light-touch approach” compared to the traditional agencies, as Mr Deignon explains, and this allows those that use the custom-built platform to “get on with their life” and pick-up shifts that work best for them and suit their needs.
The company places top Manchester-based talent in roles within the hospitality industry – including bar service, event staff and supervisors, festival staff, kitchen staff, chefs, waiters, kitchen porters, and more.
It prides itself on great communication, flexibility, and diverse opportunities for members.
The app offers complete flexibility of where and when you work within the hospitality sector / Credit: Easy Staffing
How does it work?
Easy Staffing’s main aim is to gain long-lasting relationships with its members through “outstanding communication and respect”, and this all starts with the recruitment process.
All you’ll need to do is download the app and follow these three simple steps:
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Instantly choose your desired shifts suited to your lifestyle, with all work paid above the normal market rate.
All shift information is easily accessible through the app, including pay rates, job descriptions, locations, and reviews of the venue.
Your hours will be instantly confirmed after your shift, and you will be paid the following week.
What are other saying about it?
There’s no better way to learn about how Easy Staffing works than to hear from people who have used the platform in the past.
“I joined Easy Staffing after a number of years out of the hospitality industry,” one user explains.
“The application process and subsequent interview was really efficient and fair. Using the app to get shifts is so easy and the flexibility is great for me as I work full-time too. The clients and customers that we deal with are always grateful and treat you like a member of the team.
“The team that supports us are always supportive and understanding, as sometimes things change in life.
“There’s always plenty of work opportunities.”
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The Manchester-based company is on a mission to “make the industry’s best matches” / Credit: Unsplash | Easy Staffing
I’m a student in Manchester, where can I sign-up?
Keen to take the hassle out of your job search, and work in a flexible environment where you are valued and respected?
Easy Staffing is here to help all students returning to Manchester find the best job suited to their requirements and needs, so whether it’s a part-time job or full-time work you’re after, the company makes sure to put “the happiness of our members at the forefront of everything we do”.
You can find out more about Easy Staffing and sign-up to the app here, or send any previous experience over to [email protected]
Beloved Manchester Italian restaurant unveils big refurb
Thomas Melia
Much-loved Italian restaurant Italiana Fifty-Five has just unveiled a beautiful refurbishment at one of its Manchester sites, along with a new menu of fresh, handmade pasta.
Gone is the famous yellow colour palette of this Italian eatery as they swap in a sophisticated and regal turquoise blue at their Liverpool Road restaurant.
This establishment is known for its impressive shop-window pasta making stations where you can see your food prepared live in-store and while walking past outside the venue.
They’re continuing their foodie legacy serving carby creations, like a flaming cheese wheel pasta where staff blowtorch the cheese to ensure it’s as melty as possible.
One of the biggest menu highlights at Italiana Fifty-Five is the cappellacci, which comes in two equally gorgeous forms and much like its English translation, emulates tiny hats.
These cute little plates come in two delicious stuffed pairings – the burrata, combined with a tangy tomato and beef filling, and a salmon with cream sauce and fresh lemon for a match made in heaven.
Beloved Manchester Italian restaurant Italiana Fifty-Five unveils big refurb. Credit: The Manc GroupInside Italiana Fifty-Five as it unveils a new look on Liverpool Road. Credit: The Manc Group
How can you think of anything more ideal than a table full of hearty and home-comforting meals than one that also features an array of beautiful sides?
Usual delights like the burrata on a bed of rocket, tomato and finished off with a balsamic vinegar glaze area great addition to your already faultless food.
Cheesy garlic pizza bread is quintessential when dining in an Italian restaurant, and Italiana 55’s lovely flavour-packed favourite is a go-to when ordering here.
The Liverpool Road restaurant also has a tonnata pizza which uses toppings that are an exact ingredient breakdown of the Mediterranean sauce, which it shares its name with.
In photos: Italiana Fifty-Five has undergone a refurb. Credit: The Manc Group
What better way to wolf down some incredible Italian feasts than with some perfectly paired alcoholic offerings like the classic Aperol spritz, trusted espresso martinis and a selection of fine wines.
Their menu is staying as tasty as ever with their delicious pizzas and pastas, with the new fresh pasta menu available at their restaurants on Liverpool Road and in Didsbury.
Rochdale’s incredible fire festival will bring blazing sculptures and fiery displays to town this month
Daisy Jackson
Rochdale will be filled with dazzling pyrotechnic displays later this month when the Ignite Fire Festival returns to town.
The spectacular free event will see the gardens opposite the Rochdale Town Hall – which reopened to the public earlier this year – transformed with fiery displays, blazing sculptures and illuminated installations.
The smash hit event debuted last year, attracting more than 10,500 people, and this year’s will be even bigger with three nights of magical family entertainment.
And the festival will culminate on the Sunday with the Rochdale Christmas lights switch-on.
Ignite Fire Festival comes from Walk the Plank, the outdoor arts specialists behind some of the UK’s biggest and best outdoor arts events, who have called upon artists and pyro technicians to create the many installations on show.
Between 5pm and 8pm each night, visitors will be able to walk past fire-based sculptures like goblets of fire, a daisy chain of flaming flowers, a fire bird with blazing eyes, and smaller birds circling a flaming nest – to name just a few.
There’ll also be sculptures that twist, flap and erupt with balls of fire, and ‘In The Balance’ will be a festival highlight, where rotating globes of flame seemingly defy the laws of physics.
Ignite Fire Festival is back in Rochdale this month. Credit: Supplied
Each evening, a fire drawing designed and made by local residents will be ignited alongside flaming hot performances from some of the UK’s top talent including Flame Oz – a thrilling fire dancing and juggling show.
There’ll also be performances from Liverpool’s Bring the Fire Project, local favourites Skylight Circus Arts, and street theatre and interactive arts group Travelling Light Circus.
Visitors should look out for Drum Machine, a 20-strong drumming collective, The Fire Man Dave performing a live fire show with fire eating and juggling, and Astro Aliens, a trio of cosmic beings that will entertain all ages.
The incredible event, sponsored by car supermarket The Trade Centre UK, is set to take place between Friday 22 and Sunday 24 November.
Ignite Fire Festival takes place in the gardens opposite the Rochdale Town HallThere’ll be performers as well as pyrotechnic sculptures. Credit; SuppliedIgnite Fire Festival is back for a second year. Credit: Supplied
After exploring the gardens, you’ll be able to pick up hot food, mulled wine and other seasonal drinks served each night.
On Sunday, Father Christmas will be in town to switch on the Christmas lights at 5.30pm in front of the town hall.
Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council said: “Last year’s Ignite Fire Festival and Christmas Light’s Switch On was a fantastic event and an instant hit with audiences from across Greater Manchester.
“It’s an exciting and unique event and the perfect addition to our big switch-on, providing family entertainment across the weekend.”
Mark Bailey, founder and owner of sponsor Trade Centre UK added: “Our partnership with Ignite Fire Festival and the Rochdale Christmas Lights Switch On is a fantastic opportunity to give back to a community that has welcomed us so warmly.
“At Trade Centre UK, we believe in more than just selling cars; we believe in being part of the fabric of the local area. Supporting events like this, which bring people together to celebrate in the heart of Rochdale, aligns perfectly with our core values of community and connection.”
The event is free, and no tickets are required. Ignite is organised by Rochdale Borough Council in partnership with Walk the Plank and Culture Co-op, a ‘Creative People and Places’ programme, funded by Arts Council England.
Find out more and plan your visit to Ignite Fire Festival HERE.