Retail Assistant

Retail Assistant

Join to apply for the Retail Assistant role at Chester Zoo.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a number of part‑time Retail Assistants to join our retail team on a permanent basis. Retail at Chester Zoo is an extremely fast‑moving department, and we are looking for people that aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in at the same time as providing world‑class standards of service to our visitors.

• Work in all areas of retail at the Zoo – gift shops, kiosks, retail stores, and customer activities such as face painting.
• Deliver the highest standards of customer service daily.
• Meet sales targets, manage visual merchandising of products, upsell, unit cleaning.
• Handle cash, stock control and replenishment.
• Help train, develop and mentor many Temporary Assistants.
• Provide extra hours regularly during busy periods, including school holidays.

• Previous experience in a fast‑paced retail or visitor attraction environment.
• Passionate about excellent customer service and a strong communicator.
• Enjoy exceeding targets and up‑selling.
• Experience with cash handling and EPOS systems.
• Confidence to work with own initiative to achieve goals.
• Ability to mentor Temporary colleagues.
• Eye for visual merchandising and creative flair.
• Experience with high volume stock replenishment.
• Advantageous: engagement activities such as face painting or hand‑animals.

• Permanent contract.
• Salary of £25,396.80 per annum based on 40 hours per week (prorated).
• 33 days annual leave pro‑rate plus option to buy or sell up to 5 days.
• Staff pass to visit the zoo during time off, plus multiple complimentary tickets for friends and family.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Healthcare plan and employee assistance program.
• Discounted gym membership.
• Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high‑street shops via Perks.
• Pension scheme with generous employer contributions up to 9%.

Interviews will be held while the role is live, with successful candidates starting on 2 February 2026. The ad will be closed when successful candidates have been found.

We’re not just an amazing, award‑winning visitor attraction that’s home to 30,000 incredible animals inside 128 acres of stunning gardens. We’re not just the UK’s most popular zoo. We’re a major wildlife charity that’s committed to the recovery of endangered species, globally. As the world faces an extinction crisis, we’re making a hugely significant contribution to conservation at a time when it’s needed most.

We are Chester Zoo and we prevent extinction.

Entry level

Full‑time

Sales and Business Development

Non‑profit Organisations