Skip to content

Mountain bike innovation centre remains on course

News imageGetty Images A woman on a mountain bike with helmet and glasses and a white top is tucked low over the handlebars with mud spattered on her.Getty Images
A mountain bike innovation centre in the Borders could open its doors by next year

A multi-million pound mountain bike innovation centre in the Borders aims to move a step closer next week.

A full business case for the project - which has seen the demolition of the former Caerlee Mill in Innerleithen after renovation plans proved too expensive - will be put before Scottish Borders Council.

If endorsed by the local authority and both the UK and Scottish governments it will seek final approval from the Borderlands Partnership Board next month.

That would pave the way for construction to begin later this year with the aim of opening in 2027.

News imageSOSE A computer generated image of how the mountain bike centre might look with a brick main building and white figures representing humans around itSOSE
It has been forecast that the new centre could create more than 200 jobs

It had initially been hoped that Caerlee Mill - which dates back to 1788 - could be converted, but severe structural issues and rising costs put an end to that proposal.

Demolition of the mill building was completed last year and its landmark chimney stack has been repaired.

Other enabling work is now taking place on the project which is in line for a £15m investment from the UK government as part of the Borderlands Growth Deal.

An additional £4m could later be allocated towards a Tweed Valley Adventure Bike Park.

It has been predicted that the scheme could create more than 225 jobs in the region over a 10-year period.

News imageSOSE An aerial view of the old mill site with white main buildings and a large brick chimney stackSOSE
Repair work to the landmark chimney stack has been completed and the main building demolished