Millennium Eve rumours bring out amateur staff

Professionals who would not normally consider waiting on tables are expressing an interest in working on Millennium Eve.

Recruitment consultant Berkeley Scott claims that reports being bandied around suggesting waiters could get up to £100 an hour are encouraging people in other professions to consider changing jobs for the night.

"Some people who haven't waited tables since they were undergraduates are hoping to cash in on the staff shortage," said chief executive Roddy Watt.

Watt said that every year companies have to pay more for staff to work over the holidays and he is expecting the trend to be exaggerated because of the millennium festivities.

Berkeley Scott is expecting a last-minute "bidding exercise" for staff. Many companies, it claimed, are refusing to take bookings for events now because they will be able to charge higher rates nearer the time.