Leighann Morgan launched Opulent Travel Services with a party last week at local restaurant Loopy Shrew, and has taken on three staff to help run the agency, which will focus on luxury leisure, VIP and concierge-style travel and some corporate business.

Morgan has a 20-year travel background and has joined The Global Travel Group to help get the business off the ground.

“Over the past five years, l’ve been branching out on my own, first as a Travel Counsellor, then as an independent agent, with the most recent evolution into luxury travel,” she said. “It’s all about service, being there whenever the client needs us. Service-orientated business is where the future lies in travel, I believe.”

Morgan registered the business in March but has spent October getting it off the ground. It will operate out of offices rather than a high-street shop.

“Clients have been waiting for me to get going – a £14,000 cruise booking and a £40,000 US tailor-made trip happened just last week,” she said.

Morgan hopes referrals, repeat business and her longstanding connections in the community and among local businesses will drive bookings for OTS, and also works with a PR agency to promote her locally.

Once OTS is established in Shrewsbury, Morgan said she would look to win some corporate business in London.