Hire Temporary Staff Nationawide Today. Vetted, Reliable, On Site Fast.
Short of people for tonight's shift, next week's rush or a long absence? Temporary Staff Agency (TSA) puts vetted temps in your workplace the same day, around the clock.
Hire Temporary Staff in Central London Without the Hiring Headache
When you need to hire temporary staff in Central London or across the UK, speed and reliability matter more than anything else. A missed shift can close a kitchen, delay a delivery or leave a reception desk empty. TSA exists to stop that happening to your business.
What is a temporary staff agency? A temporary staff agency, also called a temp agency or staffing agency, recruits, vets, pays and manages workers so that businesses can borrow skilled people for days, weeks or months without taking on permanent employees. You tell the agency what you need. The agency supplies the people, runs payroll and invoices you for the hours worked.
Founded in 2010, Temporary Staff Agency (TSA) is a London-based provider of temporary staffing services, flexible short-term cover and emergency workforce solutions. Some clients know us as Quick Placement, our rapid-response brand. We serve employers across the capital, from the City and Westminster to Camden, Islington, Southwark and the Docklands, as well as businesses nationwide. If you are searching for a temporary agency that can send reliable workers today, you are in the right place.
This page is written for employers, not jobseekers. It explains how to hire temporary staff in Central London, what it costs, which legal duties apply, and how to avoid the problems that catch out busy managers. If you just want to get going, book staff online or call 0333 242 2711.
The Staffing Problems In London Employers Face, and How We Solve Them
Central London is one of the hardest places in the UK to staff a business. Rents are high, commutes are long, and good people have plenty of options. These are the problems we hear about most, with the way our temporary workforce solutions deal with each.
Sudden absence and no-shows
Sickness, resignations and last-minute cancellations leave you short at the worst moment. Our 24/7 line and ready pool of temps mean you can find urgent staffing near you in hours, not days.
How TSA helps
One call or online booking triggers a same-day search. You get named, vetted temps, clear arrival times and a replacement guarantee if someone fails to show.
Slow, expensive recruitment
Advertising, screening and interviewing for a single role can swallow weeks of management time, and the permanent hire still might not work out.
How TSA helps
We pre-screen candidates continuously, so the work is done before you ask. You see profiles fast and choose, instead of starting from a blank page.
Seasonal and unpredictable demand
Christmas, summer events, stocktakes and product launches create spikes that do not justify permanent headcount. Our seasonal staffing guide shows how to plan cover early.
How TSA helps
Scale from one temp to a whole team and back down again. You pay only for approved hours, so cost follows demand.
Compliance risk
Right-to-work checks, Agency Workers Regulations, holiday pay and working-time rules are easy to get wrong, and mistakes carry real penalties.
How TSA helps
As the employer of record for the temp, we handle identity and right-to-work checks, payroll, PAYE, holiday pay and pension auto-enrolment, so the paperwork stays off your desk.
Skills gaps at short notice
You need a forklift driver, a silver-service waiter or a receptionist with a specific system, and your team cannot cover it.
How TSA helps
We match certificates and experience to your brief: forklift licences, food hygiene, SIA badges, DBS checks and more, depending on the role.
Payroll and admin burden
Weekly timesheets, tax codes, payslips and payment queries drain finance teams, especially with many short-term workers.
How TSA helps
Approve hours once and receive a single clear invoice. We pay the workers on time, every week, and deal with their questions.
Temporary Staffing for Businesses: Roles We Fill in Central London
Whatever your sector, we supply people who are ready to work. These are the areas employers ask us about most. Each links to a dedicated page with more detail.
Warehouse and logistics
Pickers, packers, forklift operators, loaders and inventory staff. Read about warehouse operatives or compare immediate-start warehouse teams outside London. Searching for warehouse agencies near me? Start here.
Hospitality and catering
Chefs, kitchen porters, waiting staff, bar staff, housekeeping and event crews for hotels, restaurants and venues. See also housekeeping teams.
Office, reception and IT
Receptionists, administrators, call handlers and IT temporary staffing, including evening help desk cover and help desk clerks. Our software and tech page covers specialist roles.
Security
Licensed door supervisors, guards and event security. Learn how to choose a security partner before you commit.
Healthcare and pharmacy
Pharmacy assistants, care staff and clinic reception, supplied with the right checks for regulated settings.
Construction and trades
Labourers, handymen and site support. Our guide to commercial handyman hiring explains what to look for, and our quantity surveyor page covers professional cover.
Not sure which category fits? Browse Quick Hire for emergency requests, the full Find Staff directory, or post a job and let us respond with candidates.
Why Employers Choose TSA Agency London for On-Demand Staffing Solutions
There are many staffing agencies in London. Employers stay with TSA because we treat your shortage as our emergency.
We answer the phone at 3am. Most agencies close at 6pm. Ours does not. If a night shift supervisor calls in sick at midnight, you can still reach a person who can help, which is why so many operations managers keep our number saved as their emergency contact.
We understand the London market. Central London staffing is different from staffing elsewhere. Travel times, congestion charges, security passes, building access and tight delivery windows all affect whether a temp arrives ready to work. Our team plans around them, and briefs each worker properly before they leave home.
We pay workers quickly. Reliable temps choose agencies that pay them on time, and temporary agencies that pay the same day or weekly attract the best people. Because our workers are paid properly and promptly, they return, and you see familiar faces who already know your site. That consistency lifts productivity and cuts the cost of retraining new temps every week.
We scale with you. Whether you want to hire interim staff for a six-month project or add ten warehouse operatives for a weekend stocktake, one relationship covers it. Our seasonal staffing solutions help retailers, caterers and logistics firms plan for peaks, while our on-demand staffing solutions handle the surprises. If a temp proves excellent, you can offer them a permanent role.
We keep it simple. One phone number, one booking form, one invoice. You do not need technical expertise or a new software platform to use a temporary staffing solution that works. Employers searching for a solution staffing agency that is straightforward and fast usually find that TSA is the easiest to work with.
Hire Temp Staff in Four Steps
Our process is built around speed. Most employers go from first call to temps on site within a day, and many within a few hours.
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Tell us what you need
Call 0333 242 2711 or use the booking form. Give us the role, start time, location, pay band and any certificates required.
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We match and vet
We search our pool of pre-screened workers and confirm availability, right to work and any role-specific checks.
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Temps arrive ready
You receive names, arrival times and a briefing note. Workers know the site address, dress code and who to ask for.
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Approve hours, we do the rest
You sign off timesheets. We pay the workers, deal with tax and holiday pay, and send you one invoice.
Latest Temporary Jobs in Central London
These are typical vacancies employers have asked us to fill across Central London, showing the pay bands and shift patterns we see. Seeing what the market pays helps you set a realistic rate for your own temps. Need one of these roles covered? Hire now, or see all current openings on our jobs board.
| Role | Area | Shift | Pay per hour | Start | Hire |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warehouse operative / picker packer | Park Royal, NW10 | Days or nights | £12.71 to £14.50 | Same day | Book |
| Forklift operator (counterbalance) | Park Royal and Wembley | Nights | £15.00 to £17.50 | Same day | Book |
| Receptionist / front of house | City of London, EC2 | Mon to Fri | £14.50 to £18.00 | 24 hrs | Book |
| Commis chef / chef de partie | Soho and Covent Garden | Split shifts | £14.00 to £19.00 | Same day | Book |
| Kitchen porter | Westminster, SW1 | Evenings and weekends | £12.71 to £14.00 | Same day | Book |
| Waiting staff / event crew | Mayfair and Kensington | Events | £13.00 to £16.00 | 24 hrs | Book |
| SIA door supervisor / security guard | Camden and Islington | Nights | £14.00 to £18.00 | 24 hrs | Book |
| IT help desk analyst (evening) | Canary Wharf, E14 | Evenings | £15.00 to £22.00 | 48 hrs | Book |
| Pharmacy assistant | Southwark, SE1 | Days | £13.50 to £16.00 | 48 hrs | Book |
| Construction labourer | King's Cross, N1C | Mon to Sat | £15.00 to £20.00 | Same day | Book |
Rates are indicative worker pay bands and vary with experience, certification and notice. Charge rates to employers include holiday pay, employer National Insurance and agency fee. See live vacancies or browse more roles.
What Does It Cost to Hire Temporary Staff in London?
Employers pay an hourly charge rate for each hour worked. Behind that rate sit four things: the worker's pay, statutory holiday pay, employer National Insurance, and the agency's fee for sourcing, vetting and payroll. Use the estimator to see the statutory elements for your own shift pattern. It excludes our margin, which depends on the role and volume, so ask for a firm quote.
- Wages
- £0
- Holiday pay (12.07%)
- £0
- Employer NI (15% above threshold)
- £0
- Per temp, per hour
- £0
Employer NI uses the 15% rate above the £96 per week secondary threshold. Check current HMRC figures before budgeting.
Temporary Staffing Facts Every UK Employer Should Know
These figures and rules shape the true cost and risk of using temps. We keep this table current so you can cite it, share it, or embed it on your own site (see the embed code below).
| Topic | Fact | Why it matters to you |
|---|---|---|
| National Living Wage (21+) | £12.71 per hour from April 2026 | The legal floor for pay. Temps in London usually earn above it. |
| Statutory holiday | 5.6 weeks (28 days) per year | Temps accrue holiday pay at 12.07% of pay, built into the charge rate. |
| Equal treatment | After 12 weeks in the same role | Agency Workers Regulations 2010 give temps the same basic pay and conditions as direct staff. |
| Employer National Insurance | 15% above the secondary threshold | A real cost for every payroll worker, handled by the agency. |
| Right to work | Check before the first shift | Civil penalties apply to employers who use illegal workers. Agencies carry out the check for their temps. |
| Pension auto-enrolment | Eligible workers aged 22+ | The agency, as employer, manages enrolment and contributions. |
| Working Time Regulations | 48-hour average week limit | Rest breaks and limits apply, so shift planning matters. |
| TSA response time | 2 to 24 hours typical | Company figure for urgent requests, subject to role and shift. |
| TSA availability | 24 hours, 7 days | Emergency cover is available at nights, weekends and bank holidays. |
Statutory figures change. Always check GOV.UK for the latest rates before you budget. Company figures are TSA's own.
| Factor | Hire temporary staff | Recruit permanent staff | Overtime from current team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time to start | Same day to a few days | Typically weeks to months | Immediate |
| Commitment | None beyond the assignment | Notice periods and redundancy rules | None, but fatigue builds |
| Admin and payroll | Agency handles it | You handle it | You handle it |
| Cost per hour | Higher hourly rate, no idle cost | Lower hourly rate, full-time cost | Premium overtime rates |
| Flexibility | Scale up or down weekly | Low | Limited by working-time rules |
| Best for | Peaks, absence, projects, trials | Stable, long-term roles | One-off short gaps |
Why Employers Trust a Vetted Temporary Workforce
Hiring through an agency should reduce your risk, not add to it. Here is what sits behind every TSA placement.
What we check before a temp starts
- Photo identification and right to work in the UK
- Proof of address and National Insurance number
- Role-specific certificates such as forklift licences, food hygiene or SIA badges
- References and DBS checks where the role needs them
- Health and safety induction information before the shift
What you stay in control of
- Site induction, supervision and day-to-day direction of the temp
- Approval of timesheets before anyone is paid
- The right to end an assignment and request a replacement
- Your own health and safety duties on site
- Decisions on taking a temp on permanently
To read more about who we are and how we work, visit our About Us page, or read the ultimate guide to temp work staffing. For a broader look at the options, see our guide to flexible short-term staffing solutions.
Central London Coverage and UK-Wide Temporary Staffing
We supply temporary staff across every Central London borough and into Greater London, with the same service nationwide. Use the map to see the area we cover most intensively.
Central London districts: we regularly place temps in these areas.
- City of London
- Westminster
- Soho
- Covent Garden
- Mayfair
- Holborn
- Camden
- Islington
- King's Cross
- Shoreditch
- Southwark
- Waterloo
- Canary Wharf
- Kensington
- Paddington
- Park Royal
Greater London and beyond: need temporary staffing solutions in London's outer boroughs or the wider UK? We cover Ilford and IG3, Waltham Forest, Croydon and Wandsworth, as well as Manchester and Greater Manchester towns including Hyde, Denton, Dukinfield, Stalybridge, Mossley and Longdendale. We also supply Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Liverpool, Brighton, Cambridge and Milton Keynes. Visit our services page for the full list.
Our office is at 275 New North Road, London N1 7AA, and our booking line never closes.
Free Tools and Checklists for Employers
Copy, share and link to these resources. They are free to use with a credit link to this page.
Temp booking checklist
Have these details ready and your request will be filled faster:
- Job title and a short description of the tasks
- Site address, nearest station and parking or access notes
- Start date, shift times, break arrangements and length of assignment
- Number of temps and any essential certificates or experience
- Dress code, PPE and who the temp reports to on arrival
- Purchase order number or invoice contact
Embed our facts table
Add the UK temporary staffing facts table to your own article or blog. Please keep the credit link.
Tip: link to the facts table directly or cite it as "TSA temporary staffing facts, 2026".
Want more? Read our seasonal workers guide and temp work staffing guide.
Questions Employers Ask Before They Hire Temporary Staff
How quickly can I hire temporary staff in Central London?
Most urgent requests are filled the same day. Call 0333 242 2711 or book online and we confirm named, vetted temps, often within 2 to 24 hours, depending on the role and shift.
How much does it cost to hire temporary staff?
You pay an hourly charge rate for hours worked. It covers the worker's pay, holiday pay, employer National Insurance, payroll administration and the agency fee. Rates vary by role, shift pattern and notice. Use the estimator above for the statutory elements, then ask for a quote.
Do I have to pay the temps or handle their tax?
No. We run payroll, PAYE, National Insurance, holiday pay and pension auto-enrolment. You receive one invoice for approved hours.
Are your temporary workers vetted?
Yes. Every worker has identity and right-to-work checks before an assignment, plus role-specific checks and certificates where the job requires them.
Can I take a temp on permanently?
Yes. Temp-to-perm is available. Any fee is set out in your terms of business and usually reduces the longer the temp has worked with you.
Do you supply staff outside Central London?
Yes. We cover Greater London and the whole UK, including Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow and surrounding towns.
What happens if a temp does not turn up or is not suitable?
Call the 24/7 line and we arrange a replacement as quickly as possible. Tell us what went wrong so the next match is better.
What is the difference between hiring temps and permanent staff?
Temps are engaged for hours or weeks with no long-term commitment, so you can flex cover to demand. Permanent staff suit stable, ongoing roles but take longer and cost more to recruit, and are harder to scale down.
Need Temporary Staff in Central London Today?
Tell us the role and the start time. We will confirm vetted temps fast, day or night, weekends and bank holidays included.