A popular city centre attraction that hundreds pass every day has a surprisingly "spooky" history.
Located at 52-54 Castle Street lies the Liverpool Gin Distillery, which has previously been announced as a "hidden gem" in Liverpool. But paranormal investigators Chris Cummings and Adam Billing were keen to visit for a different reason.
After reading about the Liverpool Witches from around 1667, Chris and Adam couldn't wait to visit the site which was the former "Witches House" where its occupants would "put fear into those who came by them."
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Chris said: "We were contacted by the Liverpool Gin Distillery’s manager, Rebecca who told us about the historical importance of the address of 52-54 Castle Street.
"With the help of some information put together by the ‘ByGone Liverpool’ website we read about the Liverpool Witches, Margaret Loy and Widow Bridge. They lived at 52-54 Castle Street around 1667 and, in a time of great belief in superstitions, they put fear into many who came by them. As self-proclaimed witches, who knows if they practiced any rituals on the site.
"Visitors and dignitaries frequenting Liverpool Castle would have to pass by their house. Upon the demolition of the house, Castle Street was built up to what we see now. The Liverpool Gin Distillery now stands on the site of the Witches House."
Liverpool Castle once stood in the city centre, constructed in the 13th century, and was found on land that is now occupied by Derby Square and Liverpool Crown Court, at the end of Castle Street. Said to have been built atop a plateau to protect a new port on Lord Street, the castle stood until the 18th century.
Chris met primary school teacher Adam two years ago and during the pandemic, they decided to set up their own 'Haunted Scouse' YouTube channel, exploring Liverpool's spookiest places. What began as a hobby, Chris and Adam wanted to share Liverpool's important history and it has grown from strength to strength.
On behalf of Haunted Scouse, Chris and Adam visited the historical building armed with various equipment and it wasn't long before they "made contact" with the spirit world. Joined by Anthony and Brad who work at the location Anthony’s name was soon called out of the S-Box spirit radio.
This was followed by a "brilliant moment" when Anthony commented about how cold it was on the top floor when the Spirit Talker responded with "I can make it cold". A cat ball trigger object nearby also lit up at this same time causing the lads to "shout out in shock".
In the basement, with a door open to reveal the old level of Castle Street, they used an app called The Witch. Several times while using this, Brad’s name was called out. In the same area, while talking about another staff member, her husband's name came through the app.
Chris added: "Was this more proof that the spirits of the Liverpool Gin Distillery were intelligent and recognised the guys who worked there? It is hoped that, through this episode, it will open up this hidden bit of Liverpool history to a greater audience who will head across to the ByGone Liverpool website and read more about the Castle Street Witches."
The event features the building that Chris and Adam say has "more to its history than you might think". The end of the hour-long episode, the paranormal investigators said the Liverpool Gin Distillery has been on their go-to list for a while and it did not disappoint.
The full episode can be found here, or more information about next locations or to contact the pair can be found on their Facebook page.
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