Launched in March, the campaign aimed to help up to 10 travel agencies – including homeworking businesses – grow their existing high street presence or expand onto the high street for the first time. 

Jet2holidays had outlined plans to have a prize fund of £100,000 but has now announced it has added £20,000 more to the pot. It has also extended the number of shortlisted agencies to 12.

To win a chunk of the money, businesses had to submit a written proposal outlining their vision for the new retail shop – including branding ideas and business plans. They were then judged based on the project’s creativity, feasibility and potential for success.

The 12 shortlisted businesses will gather in Leeds on 11 June to pitch to a panel of experts such as Jet2holidays travel agent relationships director Alan Cross, Jet2holidays trade sales general manager Lloyd Cross and Seaside Travel owner Nicola Park.

Successful candidates will be revealed once their new high street shop is open, Jet2holidays said.

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

In addition to funding, agencies will also get advice from industry experts as well as marketing support, branding materials and set up assistance.