Plans for a new Mountain Bike Innovation Center in Innerleithen have taken a step forward, with the South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) submitting a planning application that could lead to the creation of over 400 jobs in the Borders region over the next 10 years.
The proposed facility, located in the heart of Scotland’s mountain biking hub, would work with local and international businesses and Edinburgh Napier University to design and develop new mountain biking products. The center would offer both design studios and educational spaces to support innovation in the industry.
The project would require demolishing the historic Caerlee Mill, a building originally constructed in 1788 and one of the oldest surviving industrial structures in Scotland. Although there were early hopes to renovate and preserve the mill, significant structural problems and high costs made renovation unfeasible. If the plan is approved, a new state-of-the-art facility will be built on the site and could open by 2027.
Russel Griggs, OBE, chair of SOSE, emphasized the potential impact of the project. “This is another important step forward for the Mountain Bike Innovation Centre project. If planning permission is granted, the center will help bring high-value jobs to the South of Scotland, adding greater economic value by supporting the development of new products and services right here.”
The estimated cost of the innovation center is £19 million ($25.6 million), with funding from the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal—a UK government initiative aimed at boosting economic development across the region. A portion of this funding—£4 million—will also support the Tweed Valley Adventure Bike Park and Trail Lab.
Once completed, the center is expected to generate around £138 million in gross-value-added revenue over a decade. It will also serve as a hub for academic research and innovation, continuing Edinburgh Napier University’s existing involvement in cycling studies and health research through its Mountain Bike Centre Scotland program.
Professor Nazira Karodia, Deputy Vice Chancellor at Edinburgh Napier University, welcomed the latest development. “The new Mountain Bike Innovation Centre will offer a host of opportunities to strengthen Scotland’s cycling industry. Edinburgh Napier has a strong history of cycling research and innovation, and this facility will boost our capabilities even further. We look forward to working with partners to bring this vision to life.”
The university has already begun recruiting a consultant to support the center and engage with the region’s fast-growing mountain biking sector.