Fifteen locations have already been identified and 75 new staff are currently undergoing training.

This is part of the business’s 100-branch expansion, which would increase its network of shops from 76 to 176. 

Barrhead has already revealed the first seven new shop locations will be in Liverpool, Widnes, Wallasey, Burnley, Isle of Wight, Northwich and Warrington.

These shops are all expected to open in January.

“We are really looking to make sure that we put our people at the helm of their individual stores or departments,” said Jacqueline Dobson, president of Barrhead Travel.

“When we are moving into new locations across the country, we want to empower our new managers to let them drive their own marketing strategy.

“They’ve also been fundamental in helping choose locations – after all, they know their local communities better than anyone and their input in premises selection is crucial.”

Barrhead has set up a dedicated team of former Thomas Cook employees to manage the expansion, which includes Chris Mottershead, Kathryn Darbandi and Nicki Tempest-Mitchell.

It has also hired Phil Hudson-Evans to train the new recruits, Catherine Finlan to lead the sales teams in northern England and Andrew McAulay to be group head of people development. 

Having previously worked at Aviva and Sky, McAulay plans to develop new training programmes for the sales and sales support teams.

The most recent pledge to open 20 new stores by March 2020 was announced at Barrhead’s Partner Conference in Ayrshire.