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Llanelli Old and New

Buckleys Brewery

Buckleys Brewery

In the 18th century new industries attracted workers and their families to Llanelli, and in turn, these newcomers brought traders and merchants to the town. Mining and metal smelting was thirsty work, and it was not long before a small Brewhouse, later taken over by Henry Child, was established in the town centre.

Henry Child originally came to Llanelli to work for Sir Thomas Stepney. Child, who was Wesleyan and a friend of John Wesley, was the founder of the brewery that became the famous Buckleys Brewery.

Henry Child was a successful brewer and took a lease on a brewery which had been established around 1700. The old brewery was at the bottom of Thomas Street and Henry took the lease for 60 years from 1795. He has been variously described as miller, maltster, shipbuilder, farmer, coal mining proprietor, innkeeper and gentleman.