A former homeworker who opened a high-street agency just four months ago is trying to recruit a trainee – but says he’s had no interest so far.

Shaun Taylor, an agent with Inspire Group, opened Inspire Travel by Shaun in the Lincolnshire town of Bourne in June, fulfilling his ambition to open a bricks-and-mortar business.

At the time he acknowledged he was taking a risk setting up during travel uncertainty, but his gamble has paid off. He made 24 bookings in September, worth around £100,000 in total, boosted by a £55,000 booking to Sandals.

Shaun, who worked as an Inspire homeworker for a year before setting up the shop, previously worked as a Senior Commercial Manager at TUI and before that, Thomas Cook.

The success of the high-street agency has led him to start offering foreign exchange as well as apply to the Government Kickstart scheme to take on a trainee. The scheme runs for six months and is open to 16 to 24-year-olds.

Shaun told Travel Gossip: “I’m raring to expand and take on a trainee. But I’m struggling. The job advert has been out there for a month, but so far I have had no responses.

“I’m hoping to have someone start at the end of October or early November.

“The trainee will work 25 hours a week, with training on top, with their wages paid by the Government. After the six months, I hope to take the person on as a member of staff.”

He added: “The shop is doing really well. It’s the only agency in the town and I’m getting lots of customers – including young people – who are telling me they’ve never used a travel agent before but, because of all the uncertainty, they now want to book with someone they can trust.

“I’m expanding with a foreign exchange bureau this week, as people have been asking for that too.

“All I need now is a trainee. It’s not just me – around the town there are vacancies, in cafes for example.

“The Job Centre has scheduled in a day of interviews for next Monday, so hopefully, some people will come forward.”