A SUCCESSFUL young entrepreneur is expanding his empire after taking on Marsh Farm Country Park in South Woodham Ferriers.

James “Jimbo” Sinclair, 27, who began his career as a children’s entertainer when he left school, plans to give the attraction a £3million overhaul.

He opened his first business in Basildon when he was just 21 and since then Partyman World of Play in Repton Close has gone from strength to strength and now employs 300 people.

He has taken on the lease of the site and plans to turn the working farm into a conservation centre with a larger range of rare animals including meerkats, wallabes and reindeer and open a 350-seater restaurant.

James, who has thrown himself into the new business by living at the Marsh Farm Road site, said: “I want Marsh Farm to be the new HQ for Partyman World and we will run everything from here.

“I want to revamp the farm and part of our plans are to increase the number of animals on site and also build the biggest willow maze in Essex.

“Over the next five years we will spend £3million and that includes the new theatre which had been built in the last year.

“In peak season we will also put on free entertainment for children and we will also be putting in an adventure golf course and a high ropes course.”

A new children’s nursery is also planned for the 50 acre site which will help create 50 new jobs.