Homeworking agency Revells Travel has opened its first retail space, in the Kent village of Headcorn.

The first-floor unit on Headcorn’s high street sits above an antiques shop. Founder Jamie Revell and his business partner, Michael Weight, opened the space in January after refurbishing it to reflect the agency’s style. 

Revell said the retail unit had helped the agency have its “best‑ever” peak-selling period, generating £60,000 worth of business over six weeks in January and February. Revells Travel made sales totalling £250,000 across the same period.

“Sales-wise, it’s been by far the best peaks we’ve ever had,” Revell said. 

“The retail space is bringing in plenty of business. Considering it’s a new business to a lot of people, and it takes time to get seen and noticed, we’re quite happy with that.

“We took the risk to see what retail would be like. Neither of us had worked in retail before – we were both working from home. It was a bit of investment to revamp the place, but so far it’s been worth it.”

Revell said the unit had already encouraged organic footfall and was "well-positioned" to capitalise on local business.

“There’s no other travel agency really near us – the nearest is a 30-minute drive away,” he said. “There are lots of small villages near us in Kent that are affluent and which we are well-positioned to move in on – there’s definite business there. 

“Even though our retail space is not directly at ground level on the high street, it’s doing its job to get awareness up and bring people through the door.”

Hinting at further growth in the future, Revell added: “It’s a big investment, and a commitment to rent, but you’ve got to try these things if you want to grow. The next step for us I think would be to go to a full retail unit with more space. If it works out, I’m definitely open to expanding to more offices or retail space.”