Jet2holidays raises 'Scale Up Your High Street’ prize pot to £120k

Jet2holidays has raised a potential funding pot to £120,000 and shortlisted 12 independent travel agents to potentially open a new retail shop.

The operator reported hundreds of entries to its ‘Scale Up Your Street’ campaign announced in March.

The company originally said it would support up to 10 agent partners with a substantial financial contribution of up to £100,000 in total, as well as access to expert advice, to get a new retail outlet up and running.

However, the operator has decided to up the funding pot and shortlist 12 candidates in response to the quality of pitches.

The 12 candidates have received a formal invite to pitch their ideas in person to a panel of industry experts at Jet2holidays’ Holiday House headquarters in Leeds on June 11. 

The panel of judges includes director of travel agent relationships Alan Cross, trade sales general manager Lloyd Cross, Seaside Travel owner and director Nicola Park and Hays Travel Mold franchise owner Don Bircham.

Each panellist will have their own pot of cash provided by Jet2holidays and travel agents must persuade them how much to contribute towards their new business venture.

Successful candidates from the final pitch event will be announced once their new high street travel agency is ready to officially open, and all commercial arrangements are completed.

As well as a financial contribution, winners of ‘Scale Up Your Street’ will also receive tailored training and support to help them open their shop and drive footfall including marketing support, branding materials and setup assistance.

Winners will also be given ongoing access to insights, as well as mentorship from industry experts, to provide them with the tools and knowledge to make their new shop a success.

Cross said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has engaged with Scale Up Your Street and submitted their ideas. 

“The submissions have been truly fantastic, which is why we have increased the amount of funding on offer and invited even more agency partners to pitch their ideas. 

“Scale Up Your Street has been an unbelievable success to date, and we cannot wait to meet the finalists and hear their brilliant ideas. 

“We are really helping independent travel agency partners grow and succeed through this innovative campaign, and we look forward to helping agents open up their new shops and make them a huge success.”