Innerleithen bike campus building work set to finish before Tour de France arrives
Building work on Innerleithen’s Caerlee Mill Bike Campus is expected to be completed before the Tour de France arrives in the Borders next summer.
The cycling research and business facility is taking shape eight months after construction began, with work on the main building’s structure nearly complete.
Attention is now turning to the internal spaces, while the next phase includes completing brickwork and roofing alongside further internal finishing.
The campus will provide a physical home for Bike Innovation Scotland, a partnership launched by Edinburgh Napier University and South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE) in July.
The Caerlee Mill Bike Campus and Trail Lab are supported by £15.5 million of UK Government investment through the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal.
SOSE is delivering the campus with support from Edinburgh Napier University and Scottish Borders Council. Hub South East Scotland is the delivery partner and Morrison Construction the main contractor.
Over the next decade, the project is projected to generate £86 million in Gross Value Added and support more than 225 jobs across the South of Scotland.
Russel Griggs, chair of SOSE, said: “The campus will provide opportunities on a local, national and global level, supporting high-value jobs, attracting new investment and SOSE's aim of delivering lasting economic growth. It will also reinforce the South of Scotland’s reputation as a leading destination for cycling and mountain biking.”
The campus will offer flexible business units, collaboration spaces available for short-term rental, specialist testing facilities and innovation support services.
Businesses and individuals interested in renting space are being encouraged to register their interest with SOSE as soon as possible.
Bike Innovation Scotland connects industry, academic and public sector partners to support research, business growth, product development and knowledge exchange.
The campus is also set to host the IMBA Europe Summit in 2027.
Professor Tom Campbell, director and academic lead at Edinburgh Napier University’s Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland, said: “It is very exciting to see how far the Caerlee Mill Bike Campus project has progressed.
“The completion of its world class facilities, particularly around the human performance and innovation lab space, will really enhance the research and innovation work we are able to carry out.”
Local community involvement has included visits by school pupils, newsletters for neighbours and donations of building materials to Innerleithen’s community garden.
Art competitions have also been held for an external heritage installation and a large internal mural celebrating the area.
Council leader Euan Jardine said: “It is fantastic to see the progress being made on site and hear that the building works will be complete by the time we welcome the Tour de France next July. This project and the continued work of the South of Scotland Cycling Partnership is absolutely focussed on securing tangible benefits for the area, our economy, residents and visitors.”