A major dry ski slope in Gloucestershire, one of the longest in England and Wales at 260m, has been placed on the market.
Gloucester Ski and Snowboard Centre is being advertised for £625,000 by Knightsbridge Commercial, with the listing noting an asset register valued at around £1.6m.
The property listing notes the centre has an annual turnover in excess of 842,000, and includes, “a warm and inviting cafe / bar and dedicated shop.” The listing also notes the centre offers a repair service, hosts parties and popular events that attract people throughout the UK, benefits from a substantial customer base and has strong relationships in the education sector.
Centre manager Cameron Singer told the BBC the current owner plans to step back to concentrate on his primary business, and staff hope a buyer can be secured to keep operations running.
Singer said the sale had initially been handled privately before the decision was made to publicise it. “More people get to view it and that can only be a good thing,” he told the BBC, adding that the intention is for the site to continue as a ski and snowboard facility.
The 260m-long slope, first built in 1973, has undergone several changes over the decades, including the installation of Dendix matting in 1977. It has since hosted a range of national ski and snowboard events.
Eddie “the Eagle” Edwards, who began training at the centre told the BBC he hoped the venue would stay open.
“I did hear it was up for sale a while ago and I was told there was a buyer involved but obviously that must have fallen through. It’s still going strong, I still miss it. I still go to Gloucester every once in a while. It was my home when I was a child,” he said, adding, “I have very fond memories of it and I hope somebody buys it and carries it on.”