Most of the old buildings on Astley Street have been demolished to make way for modern infrastructure, such as the new bus station adjacent. The following article from 1889 describes a ghostly visitor who arrived on the street (referred to as ‘Astle-street’, possibly the original name but more likely a typo), and I like to think that one of the few buildings remaining is where the ghost made their home.

A Ghost in Stockport

Astle-street, off Heaton-lane, is gaining distinction as the home of a ghost. Not the ghost which gradually grows out of nothing, fixes its goggle eyes on a pint mug, points a skinny finger at a gaping gash in its throat, then sinks into a hole the ground, as a mild intimation that too much beer is good for no man, but the plain matter-of-fact ghost which boldly walks into the house, knocks over a few articles of furniture, and then walks out again.

Such ghost is certainly an improvement on the old one, and ought to be encouraged in every way. Why Astle-street should be selected as the place for the amusement of such a ghost is not clearly to be gathered from the few words of our informant. Very recently a man residing there had the misfortune to lose his wife, and since then a female relative has acted as his housekeeper.

The other night, it is said, while they were at supper, a figure, in every respect like that of the deceased wife, made its appearance, and walking up to the table knocked it clean over. What there was on the table to incite to this peculiar freak we are not told, but evidently there was something of which the ghost did not approve. Having placed the table hors de combat it might have been expected the ghost would have done the same with the occupants of the apartment, but it did nothing of the sort.

Satisfied with the damage to the chattels it steered out, and was no more seen.

The story was told to several neighbours, who desirous of themselves seeing the eccentric visitor, betook themselves to the haunted apartment the following night and patiently waited, but nothing came of it. Evidently the supper table was unimpeachable, and could not be taken exception to even by a ghost. Joking apart, however, we are told that so intense is the belief that the place is haunted that several people have removed, and others feel as if they would like to, but “it would look so.”

Sources and Further Reading

• Stockport Advertiser and Guardian – Friday 01 March 1889