A ‘force’ to be reckoned with.
Bumps and bangs, eerie echoes and sinister shadows… Heather McFaull meets the karate king pestered by a ghostly guest…
Richard Hudson’s used to fierce opponents – but now the champion kick-boxer and fighter is backing down against a more sinister force… Strange steps, dark shapes and things that go bump in the night have left the Nottingham fitness centre boss baffled. The manager of Kick-fit – which takes up the top floor of an atmospheric Canal Street building – believes he’s sharing his studios with a restless spirit and he’s had dozens of eerie experiences.
Richard’s been bombarded with builder’s nails, pummelled by punchbags and approached by ghostly footsteps since taking over the studios in 1995. “The first time I realised there was something odd about this building was when I was clearing the rooms out,” said Richard, who has acted as bodyguard to stars like Anthea Turner and Rod Stewart and holds the title of British Eskrima Champion. “I was trying to get a bit of painting done in the corner of a room and I heard the door open. I could hear very loud footsteps coming towards me – but there was no-one there. I suddenly felt freezing cold all over. I dropped everything, sending paint and paint brushes flying and got out as fast as I could!”
Since then, Richard and his colleagues have been plagued by paranormal happenings – and he’s even having trouble keeping staff. “We’ve had builders, joiners and electricians who have been locked in rooms, heard noises and seen strange things up here – and won’t come back again,” added Richard. The Victorian building – once owned by sportswear firm Redmayne and Todd – is renowned for its eerie atsmosphere. “Staff who once worked here at Redmayne and Todd have told me all about the ‘ghost’ – and it seems many people who worked here have had a strange experience,” said Richard. “It could be the most haunted building in Nottingham!”
Pictures by Will Pickering.
Nottingham and Long Eaton Topper, 21st May 1997.