Hospitality & Catering Assistant
Contract: Fixed Term, Variable Hours (Until 02/11/2026)
Location of Work: Hastings Aquarium / Café (Occasionally Smugglers Adventure)
Hours of work Typical hours will vary across a 7-day week, which includes weekends and school holiday periods
Hourly Rate: NMW/NLW
We are looking for an enthusiastic Hospitality & Catering Assistant to join our team at Discover Hastings. We are proud to operate two of Hastings’ most popular, diverse and culturally rich tourist attractions within the East Sussex area:
- Smugglers Adventure – Be transported through time and delve deep into an unbelievable cave network of secret tunnels and vast caverns. There’s so much to be found… Underground!
- Hastings Aquarium – Home to over 3500 incredible aquatic animals and reptiles. Embark on an amazing underwater safari around the waters of the world meeting seahorses, turtles, tropical sharks, a giant pacific octopus and more!
So, what’s in it for you?
- Sociable working hours
- Free entry into all Discover Hastings attractions for your family & friends
- Free entry into all Aspro UK visitor attractions
- Free entry into all Aspro Parks locations
- 30% discount in our retail and catering outlets
- Access to a ‘1066 Country Staff Pass’ which allows free entry to attractions within our local tourism network
- Free tea & coffee
- Working for a recognised ‘Mindful Employer’ who is positive about supporting employees mental health, health and wellbeing.
- All whilst working with a great team of people in a unique, diverse and inclusive working environment.
We’re looking for individuals who want to join the Aspro team and live our values of:
- Customer Service
- Honesty
- Respect
- Focus on Results
- Teamwork
- Personal development
Role Purpose
As a Hospitality & Catering Assistant, you will typically be based at our Aquarium Café site, where you will have a perfect view of the English Channel and Rock-A-Nore beach front. You will have a passion for delivering great customer service, promoting our products, and ensuring food and drink are delivered to the highest of standards.
Duties/ Responsibilities
- To be approachable, knowledgeable, and engaging when dealing with customers at any Discover Hastings attraction
- To ensure the café area is clean and maintained to a high standard, following guidelines, opening/closing checklists and cleaning schedules
- Preparing, plating and serving of food and beverages (including alcohol beverages) at a high standard to our customers, whilst maintaining composure in a busy environment
- Complete training to help with basic culinary skills, for use within the kitchen area.
- Good time management and ability to work under pressure
- To ensure that all pre-ordered catering is correctly served, and the birthday party package is delivered to the highest possible standard
- To confidently deliver fun, engaging and memorable birthday party tours of Hastings Aquarium, tailored to the age and group size of party
A full Job Description will be provided at interview stage.
About you!
- Demonstrate excellent communication skills with a welcoming personality
- Capable of working efficiently under pressure with a ‘can do’ attitude
- Availability to work shifts including weekends, bank holidays and school holidays
- Willingness to learn new skills and adapt to a continuously growing experience
- Knowledge of hygiene, health and safety and cash handling procedures
- Able to commute to any Discover Hastings attraction
- Flexibility to work across school holiday periods, weekends and weekdays
- Experience working in a similar catering/café outlet, making food and hot drinks to a high standard
How to Apply
If interested, click “Apply Now” where you can upload your CV & covering letter.
This vacancy will close once the ideal candidate has been found, so don’t delay, apply today!
We do recognize the time and effort it takes to apply for a position, however as an employer of choice we receive a high volume of applications and in the interests of economy, Aspro UK does not notify candidates who have been unsuccessful in their application; consequently if you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.
Equal Opportunities
Aspro UK are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status.
Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract
Pay: Up to £12.71 per hour
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Store discount
Application question(s):
- This role involves working weekends, Bank Holidays, and School holidays, does this fit with your availability?
- Do you have experience working in a food and beverage environment?
- Are you able to commute to any Discover Hastings attraction?
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
