Exciting plans for a new Mountain Bike Innovation Centre have been unveiled, including details on the range of facilities the proposed new building will offer. The project will also host academics and research by Edinburgh Napier University across the cycling sector.
A planning application has been uploaded for the new Centre at Caerlee Mill in Innerleithen, which if approved will allow Scottish, UK and international companies to develop innovative mountain biking and cycling products and services. 
The proposed Mountain Bike Innovation Centre will be funded by a £19m investment from the UK Government as part of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, including £4m to be allocated towards the Tweed Valley Adventure Bike Park and Trail Lab.
Led by South of Scotland Enterprise, the proposed Innovation Centre is predicted to contribute £138m in Gross Value Added and create more than 400 jobs in the Scottish Borders over 10 years.
The Centre will offer a place for businesses - both local and international – to showcase their innovative products in the heart of the UK’s leading mountain bike destination.
The project will also host academics and research by Edinburgh Napier University across the cycling sector.
If approved, the Centre will include bike engineering workshop space, brand experience units, events space, offices, meeting rooms and teaching space.
A community drop-in session took place earlier this month in Innerleithen to give people a chance to look at the designs ahead of the application being submitted.
The planning application was submitted after approval to demolish the main building on the Caerlee Mill site was achieved in April 2025, with the proposed new Centre to take its place.
The Centre is being delivered by South of Scotland Enterprise, with support from Scottish Borders Council and Edinburgh Napier University.
Hub South East Scotland have been appointed as delivery partner and, if the application is approved, Morrison Construction will undertake all building works.
The £350m investment in the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, from the UK and Scottish Governments, is made up of £150m for Scotland (£85m from the Scottish Government and £65m from the UK Government) and up to £200m for England from the UK Government.
This will be supported by over £100m of funding from local partners.
Regular updates and FAQs on the Mountain Bike Innovation Centre project are available here. Further progress is also being made, with Edinburgh Napier University recently advertising for a Mountain Bike Innovation Centre consultant role, in order to develop and promote the Centre’s and University’s expertise in knowledge exchange activities within the cycling sector.
Russel Griggs OBE, Chair of SOSE, said: “This is another important step forward for the Mountain Bike Innovation Centre project.
“If planning permission is received, the new facility will allow high value jobs to come to the South of Scotland, maximising the value of mountain biking to the area by getting more products and services designed and made here.
“The Mountain Bike Innovation Centre is also a key project for the South of Scotland Cycling Partnership Strategy, which aims to ensure the region becomes one of the world’s leading cycling destinations.”
UK Government Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill said: "I welcome this major step forward towards the Mountain Bike Innovation Centre in Innerleithen opening for business, bringing jobs and investment to the region and attracting riders from across the country and beyond to a world-class facility.
"The UK Government is supporting the project with £19m investment as part of our £65m contribution to Scottish projects in the Borderlands Growth Deal.
“In all, the UK Government is investing £1.4bn in dozens of important local growth projects and programmes across Scotland over the next 10 years.
“Working with partners we will deliver a decade of national renewal in our Plan for Change."
Professor Nazira Karodia, Deputy Vice Chancellor at Edinburgh Napier University, said: “The new Mountain Bike Innovation Centre will offer a host of opportunities to make a positive difference to the Scottish cycling sector.
“We are pleased to see this latest step in its journey.
“Edinburgh Napier University has a strong track record of cycling research, innovation and collaboration, and this facility will significantly enhance our capability in these areas.
“We will continue to work closely with partners to help deliver a leading centre.”