4.8 / 5
Same-Day Cover
Vetted Workers
Recruitment Agency Ely for Employers Who Can’t Afford Empty Shifts
If you run a business in Ely, you already know the problem: the work is there, the team is stretched, and the right people are hard to find at short notice. Workers Direct is a recruitment agency in Ely built for employers. We supply temporary staff Ely businesses can rely on, plus temp-to-perm and permanent recruitment , across the cathedral city, Little Downham, Witchford, Soham, Littleport and the wider East Cambridgeshire fens. Our local office sits just outside Ely at 11 Black Bank Rd, Little Downham, Ely CB6 2UA, so we understand the roads, the shift patterns and the labour market you are hiring in.
Need people today? Our temporary staffing service can often arrange same-day staff in Ely , and our guide to hiring temporary staff immediately shows exactly how a request works. Prefer to compare options first? See why employers choose Workers Direct and read the terms of our staffing guarantee .
Quick answer: how do I hire staff in Ely quickly?
Contact Workers Direct on 01353 885280 (or the 24/7 helpline on +44 333 188 0008 ), tell us the role, shift, site and start date, and we match vetted workers from our local pool. Temporary cover can start the same day; temp-to-perm and permanent hires follow a screened shortlist. We handle right-to-work checks, timesheets and payroll, so you only pay for the hours worked.
Hiring Challenges Ely Businesses Face — and How We Solve Them
These are the problems we hear most from Ely, Witchford, Soham and Littleport employers. Every one has a practical fix.
Last-minute absences & no-shows
A rural labour pool and transport gaps
Competing with Cambridge employers
Seasonal tourism and event peaks
Slow agencies and CV overload
Compliance and pay-rate risk
The cost of a bad hire
Payroll, timesheets and admin
Staffing and Recruitment Services in Ely
From warehouse floors to hotel kitchens and school offices, we supply the workers Ely employers need across every major sector.
Temporary Staffing Ely
Warehouse & Logistics Staff
Industrial & Production Staff
Construction & Trades
Catering & Hospitality Staff
Reception & Office Staff
School & Education Support
Care & Healthcare Support
Van Drivers & Delivery
Latest Jobs in Ely and the Surrounding Area
A snapshot of the roles we are recruiting for around Ely and Cambridgeshire. Need one of these roles filled quickly? Book staff and we will start matching immediately.
| Role | Location | Sector | Contract Type | Employers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Head Chef | Ely | Hospitality / Catering | Temp, temp-to-perm or permanent | Hire a Head Chef |
| General Labourer | Cambridge area | Construction | Temporary / contract | Hire Labourers |
| General Labourer (roles overview) | Cambridge area | Construction | Temporary / contract | View Roles |
| Industrial Cleaning Operative | Cambridge area | Site cleaning / Industrial | Temporary / contract | Hire Cleaners |
| Carpenter / Joiner | Quy Waters, Cambridge | Trades | Temporary / contract | Hire Carpenters |
| Carpenters & Joiners (all roles) | Cambridge area | Trades | Temporary / contract | View Roles |
| Care Assistant | Cambridge area | Care & Healthcare | Temporary / permanent | Hire Care Staff |
| Temp Placements (all sectors) | Cambridge area | Multi-sector | Temporary / temp-to-perm | Book Temps |
| Graphic Designer | Cambridge | Creative / Marketing | Temporary / freelance | Read More |
| Warehouse Operative | National coverage (Birmingham example) | Warehouse & Logistics | Temporary / contract | View Role |
Browse everything on our all jobs and temporary jobs pages, or post a vacancy and let our Ely team find your people.
Staffing Agency Covering Ely and Nearby Locations
Based at 11 Black Bank Rd, Little Downham, Ely CB6 2UA, our local team supplies workers across the Isle of Ely and East Cambridgeshire.
We provide staffing agency near Ely , temp agency Little Downham , recruitment agency Witchford , warehouse staff Soham , temporary staff Littleport , catering staff Haddenham , labour hire Sutton and staff hire Cambridge .
Ely Facts & Statistics for Employers
Quotable, up-to-date figures for anyone planning a hire in Ely. Sources are listed under each table.
| Fact | Figure | Why it matters to employers |
|---|---|---|
| Ely parish population (Census 2021) | 20,574 | The core local catchment for day-to-day recruitment |
| East Cambridgeshire district population (Census 2021) | 87,762 | Wider commuting and worker pool across the district |
| Median gross annual pay, East Cambridgeshire | £41,464 | Compares with £39,125 for Great Britain — expect competitive pay expectations |
| Employment rate, East Cambridgeshire | 84.9% | A tight labour market — good staff are often already in work |
| Distance Ely to Cambridge (approx. by road) | 16 miles | A major competing employer hub and a source of commuting workers |
| Ely railway links | Cambridge, Norwich, Peterborough, King’s Lynn | A rail junction that widens your potential worker pool |
Sources: ONS Census 2021; ONS ASHE 2025 and Nomis Labour Market Profile (East Cambridgeshire). Figures rounded; check ONS for the latest releases.
| Rate (from 1 April 2026) | Hourly rate | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| National Living Wage | £12.71 | Workers aged 21 and over |
| Minimum wage (18–20) | £10.85 | Workers aged 18 to 20 |
| Minimum wage (under 18) | £8.00 | Workers under 18 |
| Apprentice rate | £8.00 | Apprentices in year one or under 19 |
| Employer National Insurance | 15% | On earnings above the £5,000 secondary threshold per employee |
| Statutory holiday | 5.6 weeks | Pro-rata for part-time and temporary workers |
Source: GOV.UK / Low Pay Commission 2026 rates. Check GOV.UK before setting pay.
| Hiring route | Time to fill | Vetting & compliance | Absence cover | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workers Direct (Ely) | Same-day temp cover available; shortlists for perm roles | Right-to-work & reference checks done for you | Replacement via 24/7 helpline | Scale up or down any week |
| Advertise & hire direct | Advert, sifting and interviews on your time | You manage all checks and paperwork | You find your own cover | Fixed contracts and notice periods |
| Workers Direct service snapshot | Detail |
|---|---|
| Customer rating | 4.8 out of 5 from Employers and Candidates |
| Helpline | 24/7 on +44 333 188 0008 |
| Local office | 11 Black Bank Rd, Little Downham, Ely CB6 2UA |
| Contract types | Temporary, temp-to-perm, permanent, seasonal, one-off shifts |
| Sectors | Warehouse, industrial, construction, catering, hospitality, reception, admin, school, care, drivers |
Approx. road distances from Ely: Little Downham 4 mi • Witchford 3 mi • Soham 6 mi • Littleport 6 mi • Newmarket 15 mi • Cambridge 16 mi • Peterborough 30 mi.
Industries We Support Across Ely
From the cathedral high street to fenland farms and business parks, we help employers in every sector hire reliable workers.
Warehousing & Logistics
Construction & Property
Hotels & Guest Houses
Restaurants, Pubs & Cafes
Events & Venues
Schools & Education
Care Homes & Healthcare
Industrial & Manufacturing
Agriculture & Food Production
Retail & E-commerce
Cleaning & Facilities
Offices & Business Support
Why Ely Businesses Choose Workers Direct
Fast Staff Booking
24/7 Helpline
Temp, Perm & Temp-to-Perm
Broad Sector Coverage
Local Ely Support
4.8/5 Rating
How to Hire Staff in Ely in 4 Simple Steps
Tell Us What You Need
Share the role, shift pattern, site, start date, skills and number of workers needed.
We Match Suitable Workers
We check availability, experience, commute and right-to-work, then confirm your shortlist or cover.
Staff Arrive Ready to Work
Workers attend your agreed Ely site on time, briefed and ready.
Ongoing Support
Repeat bookings, shift changes, timesheets and payroll handled — see our payroll service .
Recruitment Support for Employers in Ely
Workers Direct supports businesses that need both short-term and long-term hiring help. As a recruitment agency for employers in Ely , we cover the full process: job advertising, candidate sourcing, screening, shortlisting, temporary placements, permanent recruitment, temp-to-perm conversion, shift cover and payroll coordination. Whether you need staff recruitment Ely for one role or workforce planning across several sites in East Cambridgeshire, our local hiring support keeps it simple.
Not sure where to start? Compare options on our best temp agency in Cambridge page, see how our London staffing services work , or contact our team for a no-obligation chat.
Free Resources & Linkable Guides for Ely Employers
Practical tools and guides you are welcome to use, share and reference.
How to Hire Temporary Staff Immediately
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Recruitment Agency Ely – Workers Direct
Ely Employer Hiring Checklist
☐ Define the role, hours and pay rate (at or above £12.71 for over-21s) ☐ Confirm start date and site access ☐ Check commute and transport for the shift ☐ Confirm uniform / PPE / CSCS needs ☐ Agree contract type: temp, temp-to-perm or permanent ☐ Confirm right-to-work checks are done ☐ Agree timesheet and payroll route ☐ Brief your supervisor for day one
See Workers Direct in Action
Watch how we help UK employers find reliable staff fast.
Popular Workers Direct Staffing Pages
Frequently Asked Questions: Recruitment Agency Ely
Can Workers Direct provide same-day staff in Ely?
Yes. We can often arrange same-day temporary staff and urgent cover in Ely for sickness, no-shows, peak demand and last-minute bookings. Call 01353 885280 or the 24/7 helpline on +44 333 188 0008.
What is the best recruitment agency in Ely for employers?
Workers Direct is a recruitment agency serving Ely employers with temporary, temp-to-perm and permanent staff, a 24/7 helpline and a 4.8 out of 5 rating from 6,731 reviews. Compare our service, guarantee and response times against any agency you consider.
What types of staff can I hire in Ely?
You can hire warehouse operatives, picker packers, industrial and production workers, construction labourers and trades, catering and hospitality staff, receptionists and admin staff, school support staff, care assistants and van drivers.
How much does it cost to hire temporary staff in Ely?
Cost depends on the role, shift and contract length. Pay must be at least the National Living Wage of £12.71 per hour for workers aged 21 and over from April 2026, plus employer costs. Contact us for a clear quote with no hidden extras.
Do you cover villages around Ely?
Yes. We supply staff across Ely, Little Downham, Witchford, Sutton, Haddenham, Stretham, Soham, Littleport, Chatteris, Burwell and Waterbeach, plus Cambridge and Newmarket.
How quickly can you fill a permanent role in Ely?
Timing depends on the role and market, but we screen first and send a shortlist of suitable candidates, which is much faster than sifting adverts yourself. Temp-to-perm lets you test fit before committing.
Do you handle payroll and right-to-work checks?
Yes. We carry out right-to-work and reference checks and manage timesheets, holiday pay and payroll, so you receive one simple invoice. See our payroll service for details.
Can I hire for seasonal peaks such as summer tourism?
Yes. We provide seasonal and event staff for hospitality, catering and events, and you can scale back down as soon as demand falls with no long-term commitment.
What if a worker is not the right fit?
Tell us straight away and we will arrange a replacement. Read our staffing guarantee for the full terms.
How do I book staff in Ely?
Call 01353 885280, use the 24/7 helpline on +44 333 188 0008, email [email protected], or use the Book Staff form on our website and tell us the role, shift and start date.
Ready to Hire Staff in Ely ?
Need people today? Call Workers Direct on 01353 885280 or use the 24/7 helpline. Email your requirements to [email protected] and we will start matching workers straight away.
Book Staff in Ely Call 01353 885280 24/7: +44 333 188 0008