Since opening in 2018, Sasha and Dave Miller have built The Cotton Mill micropub into the thriving community hub it is today.
Set in a converted former public toilet block on Station Road, the venue has become known for its laid-back atmosphere, regular events, and family feel.
Their win means the pub will now be judged for the title of West Kent Pub of the Year, with anonymous visits from CAMRA inspectors expected in the coming months.
Announcing the news on social media, the team said: “We Bloomin’ did it!!!! Those who know us and the work we put into making this place what it is will know how much this means to us.”
Sasha told the News Shopper how the pub began: “We wanted to do something ourselves instead of working for these bigger companies.
“We both worked as general managers in London pubs for big names, but we wanted more freedom and something we could call our own.
“We found a place in Swanley – it was an abandoned public convenience – and approached the council with our idea. They were really supportive, and it just grew from there.
“Since 2018, it’s grown and grown, and the pub has really found its place in the community.”
The venue recently unveiled a new outdoor gazebo to make its courtyard more welcoming year-round, but it’s what happens inside that sets it apart.
The pub hosts everything from live music to darts and crib leagues, and its customer base is as mixed as its events calendar.
Sasha explained: “We’ve got a real mix of people. Families come in, older people come in – it’s not one demographic.
“We’ve had a crib night running for years, and we’ve got two darts teams in the Dartford Valley League.
“We do live music about three times a month, and we always try to use local bands, especially after COVID when performers really struggled.”
The pub is a true family affair. Dave heads up the kitchen, and their daughters Tiffany, ten, and Lily, five, are often found helping out – collecting glasses, chatting with customers, and soaking up the friendly atmosphere. 17-year-old Kerion also has a love for the venue.(Image: The Cotton Mill)
Sasha added: “It’s a proper family pub. The kids are always here – they’ve made friends, they help out, and it gives them a sense of responsibility.”
Dave and Sasha are already planning the next phase – a permanent kitchen extension and more indoor space, allowing the pub to keep food going through the colder months and retain staff throughout the year.
Currently, the venue serves food on weekends via their food truck.
As pubs across the country face pressure from rising costs, Sasha says being independent has allowed them to respond more flexibly – from tweaking menus to launching their own house lager and cider with their supplier.
Sasha said: “With the price rises coming in this April – minimum wage, business rates, National Insurance – we knew we had to do something.
“Instead of just putting prices up, we worked with our supplier to create our own house so we could keep a couple of lines more affordable.
“It’s tough for everyone right now. People are avoiding pubs because they don’t want to pay £7 for a drink and we understand that.
“We try to work with what’s realistic.”
Local breweries remain a key focus, with real ales sourced as close to home as possible, and a varied line-up on tap to keep regulars interested.
Sasha said: “We’re so lucky in Kent – there are so many great breweries around us.
“We keep our ales as local as possible, and for everything else we try to maintain variety.
“It’s all about listening to what people want and making it work for them.”
As they wait to hear whether they’ll take the West Kent crown, the Millers are simply enjoying the moment – and the recognition that comes from seven years of hard work.
Sasha added: “Last year we were runners-up for the area, so to win this time – especially given how far we are from Gravesend and the rest of the district – is massive for us.
“We’re just so grateful for everyone’s support.
“Without the community around us, we wouldn’t be here and we wouldn’t be doing what we love.”
