Shut down Newcastle pub with 'footsteps on the stairs' makes UK's scariest list | Chronicle Live

It mighty have been standing empty since its closure 16 years ago, but a very famous pub in Newcastle has still done enough to make a list of the scariest in the UK, ahead of Halloween this weekend. And, as well as sightings of two different ghosts, former workers there have said to have heard mysterious 'footsteps on the stairs' during their shifts. With Halloween now just a few days away, experts have been ranking the creepiest boozers right across the country and one that makes the cut is a place that used to be rammed pretty much any night of the week and was popular with Geordie revellers of all ages - The Cooperage. It was a sad day in 2009, when the popular haunt on the Quayside closed its doors, with them remaining shut ever since. As well as being one of Newcastle's most instantly recognisable buildings, thanks to its eye-catching exterior The Cooperage, originally built in the 15th century, is apparently also one of the city's most haunted. Compiling a list of the scariest drinking dens throughout the land, Google Arts & Culture mention that the pub is still haunted by the ghost of Henry Hardwick, a man who is reported to have died after a scuffle between a Royal Navy press gang and locals. Over the years, there have also been sightings of a young girl in a shimmering dress combing her long blonde hair and a man wearing a top hat looking out of a second floor window. And its not just spooky sights that have been recorded at The Cooperage, as workers have also spoken about hearing 'footsteps on the stairs' and shouting after closing time. At the start of this year, The Cooperage was put up for sale for an undisclosed price, with that news comes after a long running campaign to secure its future gathered thousands of signatures. The description of the building on property site Right Move read: 'Originally constructed as a merchant's house, it stands as one of the most complete examples of late medieval architecture in the city. Over the centuries, the building has undergone various transformations, including serving as a cooperage, a workshop for barrel making and later housing a grocer's shop. In 1974, it was converted into a public house known as The Cooperage, which remained operational until 2009.' Interestingly, the description also noted: 'The Cooperage was an ever popular bar circa 20 years ago and I'm sure the local community would be delighted to see this reopen as a wet led establishment, However, alternative uses may also be considered subject to obtaining the necessary planning and Listed Building consents.' We have a dedicated newsletter for What's On news and reviews. It's free and you can sign up to receive it here. It will keep you up to date with all the latest updates on food, drink, entertainment and events in and around the North East.