Part-Time Jobs for 16- and 17-Year-Olds in Brighton: Legal Hours, Pay and Workplace Rights

Turning 16 is an important milestone for young people in Brighton and Hove. Whether you are studying at BHASVIC, Varndean College, Brighton MET, or Cardinal Newman, starting your first part-time job can provide practical work experience, financial independence, and a useful addition to your CV.

However, starting work at 16 or 17 involves a distinct set of employment laws, pay structures, and workplace regulations. UK employment law classifies young people above school-leaving age but under 18 as "young workers", offering statutory protections around shift lengths, evening hours, and rest breaks.

This guide outlines your legal working rights in Brighton and Hove, explains statutory pay rates as of August 2026, clarifies rules on alcohol sales and night shifts, and offers practical guidance for finding suitable part-time roles.

School-Leaving Age vs Young Worker Status

Before applying for jobs, it is essential to understand whether you are legally classed as a child or a young worker under English law:

1. Compulsory School-Leaving Age: In England, you remain of compulsory school age until the last Friday in June of the school year in which you turn 16 (see GOV.UK school leaving age rules). If you are 16 but have not yet reached that date, child employment rules apply.
2. Child Employment Rules (Under School-Leaving Age): If you have not reached the official school-leaving date, your employer must obtain a child employment permit from Brighton & Hove City Council. Term-time work is strictly limited to a maximum of 12 hours per week, with a maximum of 2 hours on school days (either between 07:00 and 08:00 or between the end of school and 19:00), 2 hours on Sundays, and work prohibited before 07:00 or after 19:00 on any day (see GOV.UK child employment restrictions).
3. Young Workers (Above School-Leaving Age and Under 18): Once you pass the official June school-leaving date, you are legally treated as a young worker under the Working Time Regulations. You no longer require a local authority permit, and you can take on standard part-time contracts.

Working Hours and Rest Breaks for Young Workers

Under the UK Working Time Regulations, employers must schedule 16- and 17-year-old staff around specific statutory limits (detailed on GOV.UK maximum weekly working hours):

1. Daily and Weekly Limits

• Maximum 8 hours per day: You cannot normally work more than 8 hours in any 24-hour period.
• Maximum 40 hours per week: You cannot normally work more than 40 hours across a standard 7-day working week.
• No opt-out agreements: Unlike adult staff aged 18 and over, young workers cannot legally opt out of the 40-hour weekly limit.

If you work across two separate jobs (for example, a Saturday shift in a retail shop and a Sunday shift in a café), the combined hours across both employers must not exceed 40 hours per week.

2. Rest Breaks During Shifts

If your shift lasts longer than 4.5 hours, you are entitled to an uninterrupted 30-minute rest break (see GOV.UK rest breaks for young workers).

Your employment contract determines whether this break is paid or unpaid, but your employer cannot require you to work through it or take it at the very start or end of your shift.

3. Rest Between Shifts

• Daily rest: You are entitled to at least 12 consecutive hours of rest between finishing one shift and starting your next shift.
• Weekly rest: You must receive at least 48 consecutive hours of rest in every 7-day period (normally two full rest days).

Limited exceptions and compensatory rest provisions may apply in specific circumstances, such as unexpected operational emergencies where no adult worker is available (explained in Acas young workers guidance).

4. Night Work and Evening Hours

Under GOV.UK night working regulations, young workers cannot normally work between midnight and 04:00. In most retail and office roles, work between 22:00 and 06:00 is prohibited (or between 23:00 and 07:00 if specified in your contract or collective agreement).

Limited exceptions exist in sectors such as retail, hotels, and catering if required to maintain service, provided an adult worker is not available, suitable training and supervision are in place, and equivalent compensatory rest is provided within three weeks. In practice, many employers in Brighton choose to schedule 16- and 17-year-old colleagues on daytime and early evening shifts.

National Minimum Wage Rates

Pay for young workers in the UK is governed by the statutory rates set by the Low Pay Commission and published on GOV.UK National Minimum Wage rates. The statutory minimum rates (effective from 1 April 2026) are:

While £8.00 per hour is the statutory baseline for 16- and 17-year-olds as of August 2026, many employers choose not to use youth pay tiers. Major supermarket chains and national retailers across Brighton often pay their standard starting wage (frequently exceeding £13.00 per hour for all ages, as detailed in our supermarket jobs guide) regardless of whether a colleague is 16, 17, or older.

When browsing student vacancies in Brighton, check the specific rate listed in the job advert to see if the employer applies youth minimums or equal adult pay.

Alcohol Sales and Licensing Rules

There is often confusion around whether 16- and 17-year-olds can work in establishments that sell alcohol.

Under Section 153 of the Licensing Act 2003 and GOV.UK alcohol guidance:

• 16- and 17-year-olds can legally serve alcohol in a restaurant or dining area provided the sale is specifically approved by the licence holder, bar manager, or an authorised adult supervisor.
• In retail stores and supermarket checkouts, under-18 staff can scan alcoholic drinks at the till when an adult colleague approves the transaction.
• Many pubs and live-music venues set their own 18+ company policy for bar roles; always check the specific job advert and ask the manager about their house policy.

For these reasons, teenagers often find more accessible opportunities in retail checkouts, quick-service food outlets, cafés, and dining room floor teams.

Popular Sectors for 16- and 17-Year-Olds in Brighton

Brighton offers a variety of retail, food, and customer service environments where young people often find part-time shifts:

1. Supermarket Customer Assistants

Supermarkets offer structured training and predictable rotas for young people entering the workforce.

• Roles: Stock replenishment, till operation, and online grocery order picking.
• Local Employers: Chains like Co-op and other national grocery retailers often advertise customer team member roles suitable for 16- and 17-year-olds.

2. High Street Bakeries and Quick-Service Food

Bakeries and food-to-go shops frequently have weekend shifts that fit alongside college timetables.

• Roles: Serving counter orders, processing payments, preparing hot drinks, and restocking displays.
• Local Employers: Outlets such as Greggs and independent cafés across central Brighton and the seafront provide entry-level customer service roles.

3. High Street Retail Assistants

Clothing, footwear, and stationery stores across Churchill Square, Western Road, and George Street in Hove recruit part-time staff for peak shopping periods.

• Roles: Assisting shoppers, managing fitting rooms, processing till transactions, and keeping sales floors organised.
• Explore Options: View active retail jobs in Brighton to compare current entry-level vacancies.

4. Cinema and Leisure Customer Support

Local cinemas and entertainment venues hire customer assistants for weekend matinees and early evening screenings.

• Roles: Checking tickets, serving food and beverages, and ushering guests.

Getting Organised: NI Numbers, Bank Accounts and CVs

Before starting work, ensure you have the necessary documentation ready:

1. National Insurance (NI) Number: HMRC commonly issues a National Insurance number by post shortly before your 16th birthday if they hold your details (often through a Child Benefit claim). If you have not received it, you can view or apply for it through GOV.UK apply for a National Insurance number.
2. Bank Account: Employers pay wages via direct bank transfer (BACS). You will need a current account or teen bank account in your own name.
3. Targeted CV: If you have no formal work history, highlight school projects, attendance records, team activities, volunteering, or Duke of Edinburgh awards. Use our student CV guide for no experience to structure your application.
4. Holiday Pay: Under GOV.UK holiday entitlement guidance, almost all workers are entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid statutory annual leave (pro-rata for part-time hours). For eligible irregular-hours workers, holiday pay may be calculated using the 12.07% accrual method and must be clearly itemised on payslips.

If you are balancing work alongside A levels or vocational diplomas, read our guide on balancing college and work at BHASVIC, Varndean and Brighton MET.

To explore current part-time vacancies across Brighton and Hove, browse the Brighton PartTimer homepage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 16-year-olds work in a pub kitchen?

Yes. 16- and 17-year-olds can work as kitchen porters, food runners, or table clearers in pubs and restaurants, provided the role complies with young worker hour restrictions, risk assessments, and health and safety regulations.

Do 16- and 17-year-olds pay income tax in the UK?

Most teenagers working part-time do not earn enough to pay income tax. For the 2026/27 tax year, the standard UK Personal Allowance is £12,570. If you earn under this threshold across the tax year, no income tax is due. Your employer will provide an HMRC Starter Checklist when you join.

Can an employer schedule a 16-year-old for more than 40 hours during school holidays?

No. The 40-hour weekly cap under the Working Time Regulations applies to young workers all year round, including during summer and college holidays.