When Ryan Perrins first visited The Milestone in New Invention, Willenhall, four years ago, the pub was far from the welcoming community hub it is today. “When I came to view the place, they were doing drugs off the bar,” he recalls.
At that time, the flat-roofed pub was notorious for its rough atmosphere and old ladies enjoying a quiet Thursday afternoon seemed an unlikely sight. The kitchen was seldom open, and the venue was plagued by issues including problematic customers and pest infestations.
Ryan, 33, and his husband Dr Ben Colliver, 34, took over as landlords in November 2022. Since then, they have completely transformed The Milestone into a vibrant and inclusive community pub. Ryan manages day-to-day operations from front of house and kitchen to administration, while Ben balances a part-time role supporting behind the scenes alongside his position as a Criminology and Sociology professor at Birmingham City University.
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“We’re just over the moon, you know what I mean? To get into the top six is just an achievement from all the pubs that are entering,” Ryan said.
Facing several challenges upon taking over-including an environmental health visit aimed at shutting the pub down due to pest problems inherited from previous owners-the couple worked tirelessly to clean and revitalise the venue. They also addressed safety concerns by removing disruptive patrons, turning The Milestone into a friendly and safe environment.
The pub now hosts a variety of community-focused activities such as a craft club, a safe space club attended by around 35 people, weekly reiki healing sessions, and operates a foodbank using surplus produce from Aldi. They regularly support charitable causes, including fundraising for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
The transformation has attracted loyal customers, some of whom have followed Ryan from his previous ventures to the newly restored venue. The improvements and community spirit have not gone unnoticed, with The Milestone recently shortlisted as one of the final six in the Best Community Pub category of the Great British Pub Awards 2026.
Ryan and Ben discovered their nomination while on holiday in Egypt and have received an outpouring of support since the announcement. A head judge is expected to visit the pub unannounced in the coming weeks as part of the judging process ahead of the final, which will be held at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on 23 September.
Ryan expressed his gratitude to his husband, supporting organisations such as Community Matters and the Air Ambulance, their dedicated staff, customers, and community members including Steve and Rachel Matthews, who have been inspirational in their fundraising efforts.
From a pub once marred by its troubled past, The Milestone stands as a testament to the positive impact of dedication, community spirit, and effective management in transforming local social spaces.