At a Glance
- Tasks: Serve customers and ensure a fantastic dining experience in our restaurant.
- Company: Join Squire's, a family-owned garden centre group dedicated to customer happiness since 1936.
- Benefits: Enjoy 50% off meals, generous holiday, bonuses, and a pension plan.
- Why this job: Be part of a friendly team focused on excellent customer service and personal growth.
- Qualifications: Looking for friendly, eager learners with great interpersonal skills.
- Other info: Flexible hours on Wednesdays and Saturdays, plus unique perks like birthday leave and a child's first school day.
Restaurant: Front of House – Waiting Staff
Squires Garden Centre, London Road, Washington, West Sussex, United Kingdom Req #11877
10 July 2025
Your primary responsibility will be to provide professional support to our customers in the restaurant.
Working closely with the Restaurant Manager to help the business to succeed.
Rota: Every Wednesday 12:00-17:00 and Saturday 09:00-15:00
Main duties and responsibilities:
- Provide an enjoyable restaurant experience for everyone by:
- Ensuring all customers are greeted and offered assistance
- Handling customer queries courteously and efficiently
- Identifying customer needs through interaction, and taking appropriate action
- Excellent standards of hygiene and housekeeping are established and maintained in accordance with company guidelines
To be successful in this role, we are looking for people:
- Good friendly manner
- Good interpersonal skills
- Willing to learn
Squire’s is a family-owned group of 17 garden centres based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex, and Berkshire. Since 1936 the purpose of our business has been the happiness of those who work in it.
We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in horticulture, catering, and retail.
We want our staff to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic customer focused environment.
Rewards & Benefits:
We want our employees to be known for their friendliness, helpfulness, and good customer service, with their whole ethos being ‘nothing is too much trouble for our customers’. In turn we will provide an extensive benefit package, please see below.
- Employee Discount– 50% in Restaurants and 20% in Garden Centre on joining, increasing to 25% after 2 years’ service and 30% after 5 years’ service.
- Holiday (including bank holidays)– 5.6 weeks on joining increasing to 6.2 week after 2 years’ service and 6.6 weeks after 5 years’ service.
- Bonus– We reward our employees with a non-contractual bonus at Christmas, based on the profit of the company in any financial year (first year is dependent on start date)
- Pension– We are all aware of how important it is to save for our retirement. We offer a Defined Contribution Pension Plan to new employees. If you pay into the plan and meet the government criteria, the company will too, and these contributions will be invested.
- Attendance– After one years service, if you have worked for a full financial year and have 100% attendance, one day holiday (pro-rata) will be added to your holiday grant as a \’Thank you\’.
- Made A Difference Scheme (M.A.D)– A reward scheme for team members who make a difference to our business through outstanding customer service, over and above normal duties or initiatives that have grown / inspired the business. There is a monthly winner. All winners select a gift to receive.
- Learning & Development– You can look forward to a wealth of learning opportunities with us that will enhance and develop you with the skills and confidence you need.
- Birthday –After 6 months service if your birthday falls on your contracted day to work, you can leave work early (holiday policy rules apply). If you have 2 years service on your birthday, you will receive a £25 Squires gift voucher (pro rata for less than 40 hours).
- Cycle2work scheme –After 1 years service, a government initiative which offers a 25% to 39% saving on new cycling equipment. This cost is deducted out of your pay over 12 or 19 months.
- Child\’s first day at school –After 1 year\’s service come in late and go home early on your child\’s first day of school life, so that you can be there to take them and pick them up from school on their first day.
- RHS Membership or a Tree / Shrub –After 1 years service Squire\’s employees can choose either one tree or shrub to plant each year up to the value of £50 retail on the anniversary of your engagement or £50 towards RHS annual membership.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) –After 2 years service employees are eligible to join an EAP, that gives them access to a range of wellbeing resources, etc.
- Retirement–After 15 years service if you are retiring and have over 15 years service, your contracted hours will be reduced by a fifth but your pay will remain the same for your final 3 months.
- Free Parking– Available to all employees in the designated parking areas on our site.
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Restaurant: Front of House - Waiting Staff employer: Squire's Garden Centres
Contact Detail:
Squire's Garden Centres Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Restaurant: Front of House - Waiting Staff
β¨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Squires Garden Centre's values and customer service ethos. Understanding their commitment to friendliness and helpfulness will help you align your approach during the interview.
β¨Tip Number 2
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in customer service, even if it's informal. Highlight any situations where you went above and beyond for a customer, as this aligns with their 'nothing is too much trouble' philosophy.
β¨Tip Number 3
Show enthusiasm for learning and development opportunities. Mention any specific skills or areas youβre eager to improve, as Squires values staff who are willing to grow within the company.
β¨Tip Number 4
Be ready to demonstrate your interpersonal skills during the interview. Practice engaging in friendly conversation and handling hypothetical customer queries to showcase your ability to connect with customers effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace Restaurant: Front of House - Waiting Staff
Some tips for your application π«‘
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of the Front of House - Waiting Staff position. Highlight your customer service skills and any relevant experience in your application.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect the qualities Squire's is looking for, such as a friendly manner and good interpersonal skills. Use specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate these traits.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention why you want to work at Squire's and how you can contribute to their mission of providing excellent customer service.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Squire's Garden Centres
β¨Show Your Friendly Side
As a front of house staff member, your ability to connect with customers is crucial. During the interview, demonstrate your friendly manner and interpersonal skills by engaging warmly with the interviewer. A smile and positive attitude can go a long way!
β¨Prepare for Customer Scenarios
Think about common customer queries or issues that might arise in a restaurant setting. Be ready to discuss how you would handle these situations courteously and efficiently. This shows that you understand the importance of customer service.
β¨Highlight Your Willingness to Learn
The role requires someone who is eager to learn. Share examples from your past experiences where you have taken the initiative to learn new skills or improve your performance. This will show that you are adaptable and committed to personal growth.
β¨Emphasise Hygiene and Housekeeping Standards
Since maintaining hygiene and cleanliness is vital in a restaurant, be prepared to discuss your understanding of these standards. Mention any relevant experience you have and express your commitment to upholding these practices in the workplace.