Agents are invited to compete for a slice of the funding to open a new retail shop through the launch this Friday (28 March) of its Scale Up Your Street campaign, which was initially unveiled by Jet2holidays general manager trade sales Lloyd Cross at the airline and operator’s conference in Paphos last year.
Entrants must submit a written pitch outlining their vision for a new retail presence, including their target market, branding ideas and business plan. The deadline for submitting pitches is 30 April 2025. The process will culminate in a Dragons’ Den-style pitching session.
Besides a "substantial financial contribution" to be split with up to 10 successful applicants, which Jet2 said represented a "potential six-figure sum in total", agents will also be able to access expert advice to bring their visions to life.
Speaking at the conference last November, Cross confirmed the initiative was not limited to existing bricks and mortar retailers and would welcome applications from homeworkers keen to make a splash on the high street for the first time.
"Jet2holidays is welcoming pitches from agents looking to expand their existing retail business, agents looking to open their first retail shop, and homeworkers who might be looking to transition," said the brand, which is the UK’s largest Atol holder.
Jet2 said the launch of the campaign underlined how it is taking its long-standing "partnership approach" to working with independent agents "to the next level".
A judging panel will review all submissions and draw up a shortlist of finalists based on their creativity, the feasibility of their ideas, and their potential for success.
Shortlisted candidates will then be invited to pitch their ideas in person to a Dragons’ Den-style panel featuring Jet2 director of travel agent relationships Alan Cross, general manager trade sales Lloyd Cross, owner and director of 12-branch agency Seaside Travel, Nicola Park, and Hays Travel Mold franchise owner Don Bircham, who 18 months ago sold all but one of his more than 40 Hays-franchised premises.
Each member of the panel will have their own pot of cash to invest in the finalists as they see fit, with the candidates tasked with persuading them why they should contribute in their particular vision or venture.
Besides a financial contribution, Scale Up Your Street winners will also receive tailored support and training to help them realise their idea and drive footfall, as well as marketing support, branding materials and setup assistance, access to insights, and mentorship from industry experts.
"Our partnership approach is based around the fundamental principle of helping independent travel agents to grow and succeed, and through ‘Scale Up Your Street’, we are most definitely doing that by helping agents open a retail shop," said Alan Cross.
"As well as providing a significant financial contribution, we are giving agency partners the support they need to make their new shop opening a success including expert advice, marketing assistance and ongoing mentoring. We know this will be an enormously popular campaign and we cannot wait to start receiving pitches and ideas from our valued agency partners."
