Café Assistant

The Eastgate Theatre & Arts Centre is an independent, community-based venue in the heart of Peebles. We have a flexible 200-seat auditorium for live performances and cinema screenings, a studio for classes, workshops and small-scale events, and a licensed café. The Eastgate is run by a small, dedicated staff team, supported by a fantastic group of local volunteers.

Our annual programme includes around 140 live performances and 160 film screenings, alongside a participation programme offering creative classes each week for all ages and abilities. The events programme features internationally acclaimed artists, national touring companies, and locally produced work by community organisations, artists and practitioners. We also produce small festivals, special events, and community projects each year, and work with partners across the Scottish Borders on creative initiatives.

The Cafe Assistant works closely with the Café Supervisors to ensure the smooth running of all aspects of the café and bar operation. The Café Assistant may be required to deputise for the Café Supervisors when absent, and may also take responsibility for supervising any volunteers who provide assistance in the café or bar.

With its prominent location on the ground floor of the venue, the café is a vital part of the Eastgate with a well-deserved reputation as a friendly, welcoming, accessible and inclusive space within this busy building. The Café Assistant plays an important part within a team for whom customer care is of the highest importance.

• Help maintain a high quality food, beverage and drinks service in the café/bar.
• Ensure that the café/bar service complies with relevant food hygiene standards and procedures, and undertake food hygiene training when required.
• Prepare sandwiches, wraps, salads, hot snacks etc as directed by the Café Supervisor.
• Assist the Café Supervisors in managing any catering requirements for events and private hires at the Eastgate.
• Ensure that all café/bar equipment is correctly used and maintained, and that the café/bar area is kept clean and tidy.
• Clean designated areas in accordance with agreed daily routines and hygiene requirements.
• Help keep the cafe/bar adequately stocked at all times, and understand the stock control system.
• Receive, check and record any deliveries of food and drink to the café/bar.
• Assist the Café Supervisor in training and managing volunteers to undertake allocated café/bar duties.
• Handle cash and credit card transactions, and ensure that customers are correctly charged.
• Accurately record and reconcile the daily takings as required, and account for any anomalies.
• Meet and greet customers in a friendly and helpful fashion
• Ensure a high standard of customer care at all times
• Take part in regular fire drills and evacuation practices
• Look after keys, stock and property with due care
• Carry out any other appropriate duties as determined by the Café Supervisor or Executive & Creative Director
• Adhere to the Eastgate Theatre’s policies and guidelines

This post requires a committed, enthusiastic individual with a demonstrable interest in customer service, an understanding of legislation and standards relating to café, bar and catering work, and preferably some experience of café and/or bar work.

• Holder of elementary hygiene certificate
• Experience of café and/or bar work
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to organise and manage own work
• Friendly and positive attitude

All employees of the Eastgate Theatre and Arts Centre are expected to work cooperatively together, and to provide essential cover for each other within a flexible, customer-focused team.

This post is based at the Eastgate Theatre, and reports to the Café Supervisor. It is based on an agreed minimum number of hours per week, scheduled in advance over an appropriate number of days. As the café is open six or seven days each week the job will entail a shift pattern that may include some evening or weekend working.

Annual leave of 20 days plus another 10 days in lieu of public holidays will be allocated on a pro rata basis on the basis of hours worked each month.

The Eastgate Theatre is committed to equal opportunities and supports family friendly policies.

It is a Real Living Wage employer.

Pay: £13.45 per hour

Expected hours:
No less than 10.0 per week

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