Closed Portsmouth Sainsbury's could be haunted by hospital dead
AT the weekend, Sainsbury’s in Commercial Road closed its doors for the final time.
The supermarket shut as part of a nationwide downsizing, and has been replaced by a Sainsbury’s Local on the ground floor of Stanhope House in Commercial Road.
But while the supermarket is now vacant, it is thought that some people may still call it home.
From 1849 to 1979, the site was home to Royal Portsmouth Hospital, with thousands of patients coming through the doors.
Sadly, those who were seriously ill didn't come back out – and may still walk through the aisles to this day.
Employee Lynda Saunders says many staff members have come face to face with spirits of the dead while closing the shop.
She said: ‘Upstairs in the shop we had the meat room, where we would make things like mince.
‘But when the shift was over and it was deathly quiet, a lot of people said they had seen ghosts.
‘We believed it was from the hospital morgue, which was in the same spot on a map.’
Throughout the years, several staff members have reported sightings, and the stories became legend among employees.
When medical services were passed onto Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham, the building was knocked down and replaced by the Sainsbury’s.
According to supernatural expert James Kemp, events and marketing director of Supernatural Tours, sightings of spirits in places like this are not uncommon.
He said: ‘There are many theories out there about death and spirits.
‘But generally speaking, where there is a morgue or a lot of people have died, there are more sightings of ghosts or supernatural activity.’
James added that he has spoken to Sainsbury’s employees in the past, who have all told him about strange occurances at the back of the supermarket.
He says the cold spots and shadows will naturally be drawn towards where the morgue used to be.
‘It is widely believed spirits may become trapped or stay near to where they have died,’ he said.
‘This creates a perfect atmosphere for supernatural activity and ghostly sightings.’
James’ company, Supernatural Tours, will be running an online paranormal convention called Supernatural Takeover on February 23-26.
Last month The News reported that a paranormal investigator claimed that the former Kingston Prison in Portsmouth is haunted by the ghost of Leslie Grantham, who played Dirty Den in EastEnders.