DEMOLITION is set to begin on Caerlee Mill to allow for a replacement project to open in 2027.
The work will pave the way for a new Mountain Bike Innovation Centre in Innerleithen, a key part of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal funded by a £19 million investment from the UK Government.
Led by South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), the centre is expected to generate £138 million in gross value added and create more than 400 jobs in the Scottish Borders over the next decade.
Russel Griggs OBE, chair of SOSE, said: “With planning permission and a proposed timetable now available, the local community and mountain bike industry can now start to see how our plans are going to become reality.
“We know it has not been a straightforward process, and we thank local people, the mountain bike sector and partners for their patience and support.
“SOSE, with support of partners, will now press ahead to create the new facility, which will allow high value jobs to come to the south of Scotland and maximise the value of mountain biking to the area by getting more products and services designed and made here.”
The approved plans will see the main building at Caerlee Mill removed to make way for the new facility.
Demolition and enabling works are scheduled to begin in October 2025, led by delivery partner Hub South East Scotland and main contractor Morrison Construction.
Construction is expected to start in March 2026, with the centre set to open in 2027.
Councillor Scott Hamilton, Scottish Borders Council’s executive member for Economic Growth and Developing the Borders, said: “This partnership project will deliver significant benefits to the Tweed Valley and wider Scottish Borders, including hundreds of jobs and further inward investment.
“Approval of the revised plan is a major milestone, allowing work to restart on site, and it will be exciting to see the redevelopment of this brownfield site in the heart of the Innerleithen community into a thriving, vibrant and innovative space for business, technology and learning.”
The centre will feature bike engineering workshop space, brand experience units, event space, offices, meeting rooms and teaching facilities.
It will also serve as a hub for academic research in the cycling sector, led by Edinburgh Napier University.
Kirsty McNeill, UK Government Scotland office minister, added: “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 £19 million investment as part of our £65 million contribution to Scottish projects in the Borderlands Growth Deal.
“In all, the UK Government is investing £1.7 billion 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.”
Read more of the latest news from us
