Before 1840 the Llanelly Reform Reading Room was established at the Ship & Castle Inn. The President was William Chambers Junior and there is little doubt that plans to establish a Mechanics’ Institute came from this new Reading Society.

On Friday 23 January 1841, about 60 gentlemen and prominent business people were invited to attend a celebration at the Ship and Castle to mark the opening of a new pottery. The chairman was David Morris, MP who expressed the appreciation of the town and wished the venture every success.

The Stepney Hotel, originally called the Ship & Castle, and later the Stepney Arms Hotel, is one of the oldest public houses in Llanelli, and was probably built around 1828. At one time it was a coaching house.

The Ship & Castle was first mentioned in Pigot’s Directory of 1830-31 when Sarah Britten was the proprietress. Sarah was also proprietress of the Ship & Castle Tavern in 1835 but by the time the 1841 census was taken Elizabeth Britten was the Innkeeper.

In 1841 the Ship & Castle was the venue for ‘the gentlemen and respectable trades people at Llanelly to testify their regard to William Chambers, Junior Esq., of Llanelly House, by inviting him to a public dinner, on the occasion of his having recently erected and established an extensive pottery’. The Cambrian newspaper report indicated that

‘there were about 60 people and their esteemed MP David Morris, Esq., was in the chair. It was not confined to any particular party, for all grades of politicians were intermixed and laying aside all party matters vied with each other to show their gratitude to Mr Chambers for conferring such a material benefit and improvement on the place, and wishing every success to the undertaking. The evening passed with great hilarity.’

Pigot’s Trade Directory of 1844, shows that Elizabeth Britten was still proprietress and the Ship & Castle was also an Inland Revenue Office.

The ‘Picton’ Coach from Swansea to Carmarthen (via Kidwelly) called at the Ship & Castle, every morning except on Sunday, at a quarter before ten, whilst the Carmarthen to Swansea coach, called every afternoon except Sunday at a quarter before six. The Ship & Castle would have provided accommodation and food for travellers and coach horses.

Hunt’s Trade Directory of 1849 reveals that the Ship & Castle was still the Inland Revenue Office but Edward Llewellyn was the proprietor.

An Indenture of 19 April 1859 between John Stepney Cowell Stepney of Llanelly, Lieutenant Colonel, late Coldstream Guards, and Edward Llewellyn, referred to the Ship & Castle Hotel, with cottages and premises, and a term of 40 years, at an annual rent of £30. The Indenture refers to an Act passed in the 3rd or 4th year of Queen Victoria’s Reign (1837-1901) which would suggest that the Ship & Castle had probably become an Inland Revenue Office around 1840/41.

When the 1861 census was taken the Ship & Castle was listed as being in Park Street and the French Consul was among the residents: Previously, the Falcon and the Thomas Arms had been the principal inns and coaching houses but the Ship & Castle was fast gaining the same status.

When the marriage of HRH the Prince of Wales was celebrated in March 1863, the day was kept as a general holiday by all the works and the streets were filled early in the morning with great numbers of people. The public breakfast was held at one o’clock at the Athenaeum and Captain Edward Llewellyn of the Ship & Castle Hotel, provided the food and drink. The Cambrian reported that the large number of nobility, merchants and tradesmen present appeared highly satisfied with the entertainment.

In 1864, the Foresters Lodge was held in the Hotel when it was said that ‘a large number partook of supper.’ The Trade Directories of 1866 & 1867 included the Ship & Castle, which was described as a family and commercial hotel, posting house, and Inland Revenue Office situated at Park Street and Water Street. Edward Llewellyn was listed as the proprietor.

According to Chalinder’s Directory, which was published in 1872, John Eynon was listed as proprietor of the Thomas Arms Hotel and Mary Llewellyn was listed as proprietress of the Stepney Arms Hotel. The Ship & Castle had now become ‘The Stepney Arms’.