James Tuddenham, who runs Cryptic Escape, a Norwich-based live action puzzle venue, launched the business in 2015 after experiencing his first escape room in New York.

The former accountant has since completed a staggering 500 escape rooms.

James Tuddenham pictured here (Image: Supplied by James Tuddenham)

He penned the reasons for choosing to step aside down to personal ones and is looking forward to easing into retirement.

Mr Tuddenham, 57, said: "It's time for me to take a step back and move away. I'm going to take things a bit slow.

"I've got mixed emotions about it. On the one hand I'm sad to be passing it on but on the other, I'm also happy for what it has become."

Mr Tuddenham added he was very grateful for the work his team has invested into the business.

He said: "I'm very thankful for our staff, the majority of who have been with us for many years."

According to the business' listing on Rightbiz, it has "built a formidable reputation for creativity, immersion, and operational excellence over the last 11 years."

Cryptic Escape owner James Tuddenham (centre) with game masters Tom O'Sullivan, Troy Balmayer, Xymon Owain and Connor McGinn. Picture: David Hannant (Image: Archant)

Cryptic Escape, which has two locations - one in Tombland and one at the Rose Lane multi-storey car park, is available for a leasehold.

It comes with six immersive rooms, which are described as having "professionally designed themes featuring custom electronics, automated puzzles and high-end set design."

A history of escape rooms

An escape room is a live puzzle game in which teams are locked into a themed space and must work together to solve clues and complete a mission before the time runs out.

The concept grew out of early computer "escape the room" games between the 1980s and 2000s.

The first widely recognised real‑world escape room opened in Kyoto, Japan, in 2007 and then spread globally during the 2010s .

It is believed the escape room made its way to the UK around 2012, with Cryptic Escape being one of only a dozen venues available at the time of its launch three years later.

© Norwich Evening News