Biddulph Arms

Biddulph Arms, New Street, circa 1991

The name of this licensed house reflects the name of the Biddulph family who were involved in the industrialisation of the town in the early 1800s.

Sarah Townsend, daughter of the entrepreneur and industrialist, Chauncey Townsend, married Thomas Biddulph a relative of John Biddulph (Jun, 1806-1881) who married Emma Maria Chambers and was involved with the Llanelly Railway and Dock Company in 1834. He was responsible for building the Biddulph Estate in the New Dock/Morfa area of town.

In 1872 the Biddulph Arms was one of 12 licensed houses in the New Dock/Morfa district of Llanelli. Other premises were the Marine Hotel, Royal Queen, Cambrian Inn, Mermaid Inn, Marquis of Granby, Rose & Crown, Bird-in-Hand, Steam Packet Inn, Globe Inn, Northumberland and the Bridge-end Inn.

At the beginning of the 21st century only two of the licensed houses that used to satisfy the thirsts of the many miners, sailors, tinplate, and railway workers, were licensed premises, the remainder have either been converted into domestic houses or have been demolished. The Bridge-end Inn was renamed the Golfers Inn.