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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Easy Staffing is a unique solution to your employment needs / Credit: Easy Staffing
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]
Rochdale set to be illuminated by fiery sculptures for this year’s Ignite Fire Festival
Lydia Mastrolonardo
The run up to Christmas is officially here – deck the halls, dig out your gloves, and get yourself across to Rochdale for a free, festive, family-friendly evening.
Ignite Fire Festival, sponsored by The Trade Centre UK, is set to once again light the way towards Christmas, together with the festive lights switch-on, this November.
Organisers Rochdale Development Agency are promising the best year yet with a spectacular trail of fire, lights and sound, along with some thrilling new attractions including blazing fire sculptures, and illuminated installations.
The gardens and square surrounding the magnificent Rochdale Town Hall, as well as the parkland and walkways on Broadfield slopes, are all preparing to be transformed into a vision of festive light and colour.
However, this year’s festival will all centre around the mesmerising night time-trail, ‘BODY.’ This multi-sensory and immersive trail will transport visitors on an educational but exciting journey, through the six zones of the human body.
Visitors can expect a dramatic experience from start to finish, executed through cutting-edge technology as part of Ignite’s most ambitious light display yet, led by the award-winning, worldwide outdoor art sensation – Walk the Plank.
The Fire Garden is also a must-visit during the festival, illuminating the slopes and gardens behind Rochdale Town Hall with intricate, hand-crafted fire sculptures and pyrotechnics.
‘BODY’ is a new installation at Ignite Fire Festival in RochdaleIgnite Fire Festival returns this winter
Thousands of people are expected to attend again, for an evening that includes fire shows and flaming hot circus performances from some of the north’s top talent, alongside ‘Drum Machine’ – the 20 strong drumming collective will be bringing their techno infused beats.
Then there is the ultimate Christmas activation – Santa’s coming to town.
On Sunday 22 November, Father Christmas and his helpers, including the Mayor of Rochdale Councillor Faisal Rana, are paying us a visit to officially switch on the festive lights in front of the town hall at 5.30pm.
Not forgetting the fabulous, flame-cooked, hot food available each night of the festival, accompanied by warming mulled wine and other seasonal beverages, facilitating the full seasonal experience.
Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Ignite Fire Festival has become a real success story for the borough, drawing audiences from across Greater Manchester and beyond.
“This 2026 line-up will build on that success with new attractions, creative performances and family-friendly experiences. It will be a fantastic celebration for residents and visitors alike, setting the stage perfectly for our Christmas lights switch-on.”
Bev Ayre, senior producer at Walk the Plank, said they are delighted to be returning to Rochdale, stating: “The Body is unlike anything we’ve brought to Ignite before. An immersive fire and light experience that combines art, science and creativity to help people discover the incredible human body in a fun and engaging way.
“Set against the stunning backdrop of Rochdale Town Hall Square and gardens, it promises to be one of our most exciting attractions yet. Even if you’ve visited Ignite before, this year’s festival will feel completely new.”
This festival is made possible by Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency in partnership with Walk the Plank and Culture Co-op.
Ignite is a free festival that will be running across three magical evenings, between Friday 20 – Sunday 22 November, 5pm-8pm.
Click HERE for more information about the Ignite Fire Festival, in Rochdale.
Free pints and live craft experiences coming to a Manchester pub for one night only
Daisy Jackson
A pop-up pub takeover is opening its doors in Manchester, where you can get your hands on a free pint as well as some amazing craft experiences.
The Uncommon Inn is being operated by premium Italian lager brand Poretti, who want to help us Brits break out of our daily routines.
Matt & Phreds on Tib Street will welcome The Uncommon Inn on Thursday 22 October, from 4pm to 8pm, giving visitors the chance to discover unusual creative skills and watch artisans at work, with a free pint in hand.
It comes after research commissioned by Poretti found that 61% of UK adults feel they are living on autopilot, while a quarter have not tried a new creative pursuit in five years or more.
Free pints and live craft experiences are coming to a Manchester pub for one night only / Credit: Supplied
The study also found that adults have an average of just 90 minutes of genuine personal time each day, with 58% spending that time watching television and 35% scrolling through social media.
Exhaustion and financial constraints came out as the main barriers preventing people from trying new things.
The Uncommon Inn has been designed to offer an alternative, bringing together a collective of specialist makers to showcase their skills in a familiar pub setting.
Visitors to the Manchester event can watch Giulio Miglietta embroidering personalised beer mats, using a vintage Singer sewing machine dating back to the early 1900s, alongside live hand-engraving and bespoke jewellery-style crafting using recycled silver.
The Uncommon Inn is being operated by premium Italian lager brand Poretti / Credit: Supplied
Other demonstrations include 3D body-casting by sculptor Ami of Angelcasts and personalised, hand-engraved glassware from Leigh Calligraphy. Sabira of Sken Studios will also demonstrate how recycled silver can be turned into bespoke bottle openers.
Guests will be able to enjoy complimentary pints of Poretti while watching the makers at work.
Caitlin Maley, Senior Brand Manager at Poretti, said: “Modern life moves at an overwhelming pace, and it’s all too easy to fall into autopilot mode where routine replaces curiosity.
“We believe in celebrating intentional craft, rare skills, and authentic human connection – values that are at the core of our brewing heritage.
“We created The Uncommon Inn to turn an ordinary pub visit into an inspiring journey. By bringing together our Masters of Crafts, from chainstitch embroiderers to live engravers and musicians, we’re inviting pubgoers to slow down, pick up a new skill, and enjoy a pint crafted with genuine passion.”
The Uncommon Inn is at Matt & Phreds in Manchester on Thursday 22 October, from 4pm until 8pm.