Plans unveiled for new Mountain Bike Innovation Centre

Plans for a new Mountain Bike Innovation Centre have been unveiled, including details on the range of facilities the proposed new building will offer.

In sharing the news, South of Scotland Enterprise highlights that “The Mountain Bike Innovation Centre will become a hub for the cycling sector and support Scottish, UK and international companies to develop innovative products and services and train and test athletes within the mountain biking and wider cycling industry.”

The proposed Mountain Bike Innovation Centre will be funded by a £19 million investment from the UK Government as part of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, including £4 million to be allocated towards the Tweed Valley Adventure Bike Park and Trail Lab.

Speaking about progress on the project, Russel Griggs OBE, Chair of SOSE, said: “The Mountain Bike Innovation Centre is 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.”

Planning application submitted

A planning application was uploaded on Tuesday, 10th of June, 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.

Innovation Centre overview

Led by South of Scotland Enterprise, the proposed Innovation Centre is predicted to contribute £138m in Gross Value Added and create over 400 jobs in the Scottish Borders over ten 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.

With this in mind, Edinburgh Napier University recently advertised for a Mountain Bike Innovation Centre consultant role, in order to develop and promote the Centre’s and the University’s expertise in knowledge exchange activities within the cycling sector.

Community consultation

A community drop-in session took place last 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 has been appointed as delivery partner and, if the application is approved, Morrison Construction will undertake all building works.

Here, Griggs notes: “This is another important step forward for the Mountain Bike Innovation Centre project.

Next steps

“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.”

Professor Nazira Karodia, Deputy Vice Chancellor at Edinburgh Napier University, adds: “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.”

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.

Funding from Government and the private sector

The £350m investment in the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, from the UK and Scottish Governments, is made up of £ 150 million for Scotland (£ 85 million from the Scottish Government and £65 million from the UK Government) and up to £ 200 million for England from the UK Government.

This will be supported by over £ 100 million of funding from local partners.

Here, McNeill states: “In all, the UK Government is investing £ 1.4 billion in dozens of important local growth projects and programmes across Scotland. Working with partners, we will deliver a decade of national renewal in our Plan for Change.”

Karodia concludes: “We are pleased to see this latest step. The new Mountain Bike Innovation Centre will offer a host of opportunities to make a positive difference to the Scottish cycling sector. We will continue to work closely with partners to help deliver a leading centre.”

Regular updates and FAQs on the Mountain Bike Innovation Centre project are available via the South of Scotland Enterprise website.