The Co-Op are prolific claimants of historic pubs - helping to protect the historic fabric of communities in the same way Wetherspoons repurpose old cinemas & banks. There certainly should be a minutae of gratitude towards them.

Whitburn's crossroads features a fantastic example, repurposing the old Grey Horse in 2021. Only a few years ago this was a Greene King, using a name that's claimed this plot for well over a century and a half. It was certainly open by 1839, when this was registered as a public house & offices occupied by Henry Merriman. As you can see on the 4th pic it very much looks like an old farmhouse that was converted, perhaps given root to the name as an old stables. He certainly ran this pub for the next decade.

It was one of the primary meeting spots in the whole village, hosting Conservative meetings for George Elliot in the mid 19th century. A self made engineer and coal magnate, he moved into politics like many affluent folk to further influence the goings on in the region. Sparrow Sweeps were also held here, which I presume was a bird shoot.

The pub was fully rebuilt in the 1900s to incorporate a full hotel, I'm sure taking advantage of the colliery up the road to gain a few more quid. A bit frustrating to say I can't find much on the rebuild, but like most buildings round here it will certainly be built with local dressed stone.

The inn remained in operation until very recently. February 2019 saw its demise. There were mootings for a local convenience store to take over, but the Co-Op ended up taking the reins.