The Old Nick Theatre is a Grade II listed building that was first built in 1850, replacing the old Lock Up House nearby. This was originally Gainsborough's Police Station and Magistrates Courthouse, where the town's most violent, disorderly and notorious criminals were imprisoned and put on trial before the judge. The building itself featured separate cells for both male and female criminals, with some of the cells at times housing multiple prisoners. There are 25 known deaths recorded in this location between 1860 and 1948, with 2 of the deaths being suicides from convicts in their cells.

 

The building remained a Police Station and Magistrates Court for more than 100 years until 1972. A new Magistrates Court and Police Station was built on Morton Terrace and opened in that year, leaving the Old Nick to be left abandoned. In 1979 the building was purchased by Douglas Parkinson, Patron of the Gainsborough Theatre Company, who leased it out to the company for a nominal rent.

 

Renovations were carried out in the building. The Courtroom was transformed into a 55-seat auditorium for theatre goers watching performances, while the Judges' Rooms were changed into dressing rooms for the performers and actors. Mr. Parkinson died in 1993, and in his will he left the building to the Gainsborough Theatre Company to continue their efforts and professional performances. This allowed the GTC to do further renovations and restoration work. The exercise yard was cleared of leftover rubbish and hard work was put into restoring each of the rooms and cells to their original Victorian vibes, serving now as a Police Museum since 2017.

With 23 recorded deaths and 2 suicides taken place, it's easy to see why the Old Nick Theatre is haunted by numerous ghosts who continue to roam the empty rooms, cells and corridors.

 

Apparitions of past policemen and horrific criminals have been reportedly seen quite often by visitors and volunteers throughout the building, with shadow figures witnessed in the former Courtroom between the seating.

 

A young ghostly girl called Mary has been seen and sensed in this building, with mediums and investigators having previously picked up on this energetic spirit. Mary was one of the superintendent's daughters who was 9 years old when she tragically died of smallpox. At the rear of the building on the top floor right-hand side, there is a small window which used to be her bedroom, and one morning in the early hours, neighbours noticed the light in that room was turned on, despite all lights being turned off by volunteers the day before. Was this the spirit of Mary who turned her bedroom light on?

 

Doors have been heard slamming shut on their own accord, as well as opening by unseen hands. Ghostly footsteps walk the cold corridors and disembodied voices and groans are common activity here too. Phantom whistling is sometimes reported near the cells, along with upsetting cries heard in the female cells and a negative presence who lurks in the male cells.

DATE: Saturday 14th December 2024

 

TIMES: 9:00pm - 3:00am / Sleepover until 9:00am (arrive 15 minutes early and wait patiently outside the front entrance until a member of our team greets you at the door for registration)

 

LOCATION: Old Nick Theatre & Police Museum (Gainsborough Theatre Company), 31 Spring Gardens, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire DN21 2AY

 

PARKING AT EVENT: Free Parking at Marshall's Yard Car Park after 5pm. Local street parking. Please note parking charges may apply for street parking.

 

REMAINING BALANCE: Needs to be paid FOUR WEEKS prior to the event date. Failure to pay your remaining balance before this deadline will result in you forfeiting your places and your places will be sold on.

 

WHAT TO BRING: A torch, a warm coat/jacket, sensible footwear, any equipment you wish to bring along (your responsibility), your positive and open-minded energies.

 

PLEASE NOTE: Bringing alcohol or illegal drugs to this event is strictly prohibited. If anyone arrives at the event under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, they will not be allowed to stay for the night and will be asked to leave immediately.

This event includes you sleeping overnight at the Old Nick Theatre as part of your ticket price. However, sleepover is optional and so you don't have to stay and sleep overnight if you don't want to.

 

Once your Ghost Hunt has ended, you will have the option of going to sleep straight after or continuing to investigate for another hour, after which everyone (including our team) will stop investigating and will head to bed for the night.

 

If you are sleeping over, please bring a sleeping bag/camping bed/air mattress for the night as bedding isn't provided. Breakfast won't be provided so please bring something to eat for the morning. Alternatively, there is a Greggs and Costa in Marshalls Yard nearby if you want breakfast. Leaving time is at 9:00am.