DAYS GONE BY: Proposals to build a real snow slope on the former Beckton Alps dry slope (pictured in 1991 after a snowfall) were shelved, but East London could still get an indoor snow centre if plans by Westfield go ahead.

PLANS for an indoor snow centre in East London appear to have taken a step forward following news that Westfield, the Australian company backing the project, has purchased the land where the new slope could be located.

Westfield are the owners of Europe’s largest retail mall complex, the Stratford City shopping centre, and the website costar.co.uk, which provides reports on commercial land and property, says that the company has acquired a 4.6-acre site close to the shopping mall for an undisclosed sum.

It is believed that this land is intended for the indoor snow centre, first announced two years ago. The centre would form part of the 2012 Olympic legacy project, which has the support of London Mayor Boris Johnston. Proposals include a 300m indoor snow slope, nearly twice as long as the UK’s existing longest indoor slope, as well as an ice rink, toboggan run and children’s snow fun area.

The centre would be a second real snow slope for London with the existing Snow Centre in Hemel Hempstead located north of the capital.

Older skiers and snowboarders will remember Beckton Alps, the former artificial slope built on the site of a former gasworks in East London that was open for business from 1989 to 2001.

In 2010 a plan was put forward to convert the derelict site into Snoworld, a real snow centre with a 200m run plus shops, restaurants and bars. But the plans hit the buffers and were shelved.

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