High-profile independent retailer Jonathan James has quit the forecourt business to focus on other passions including an eco-business park venture.

James’ company James Graven will lease its final two forecourts - Witchford Road Service Station, in Ely, and Wisbech Road Service Station, in Littleport, Cambridgeshire, to BP at the end of the month.

The move follows the leasing of the company’s two Chatteris sites to Petrogas in January.

“This will free me up to concentrate my time on my eco-business park,” James told The Grocer. “The project is one I will personally oversee next year and one I’ve always had a passion for.”

James, who became chairman of the Association of Convenience Stores last November and also runs two Budgens supermarkets in Cambridgeshire, plans to build a 14-unit environmentally friendly industrial business park in Littleport.

The park, near the A10, is also near the King’s Lynn to Kings Cross commuter line.

“They will be high class looking offices and I’m hoping to attract quality businesses to come in and rent them,” James said.

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