Para-Northern group cut short Westhoughton The Hub investigation

Para-Northern, founded in 2017 by Emma Flood, carried out a late-night investigation at the community building on April 10, but what they encountered led the team to abandon the investigation early.

Although the group has 11 members in total, only a small team of four attended the session, which ran from 7.30pm until around 11.30pm, when they decided to leave.

The investigators also chose to strip things back, using minimal equipment so they could rely on their own senses.

Emma Flood leads Para-Northern, aparanormal team investigating hauntings across Bolton (Image: Emma Wood)

The team has investigated the building twice before, but Emma said this visit felt very different from the outset.

She said: “It just didn’t feel like it normally does, like whatever was there didn’t want us to be there.”

During the investigation, the team reported hearing unexplained bangs, including what they described as cupboards being struck from behind them.

While conducting a call-out session in a classroom, Emma said: “I asked, ‘I know you’re here, can you make a sound?’ and we heard banging coming from behind us.”

The group also used experimental listening equipment and a spirit box, picking up repeated references to horse racing, something they later linked to a caretaker believed to have worked at the building who reportedly enjoyed betting on horses.

One of the most unsettling moments came when a sudden, overpowering smell filled the air.

Emma said: “It lasted about 10 seconds, like stale cigarettes, sweat, and a sulphur-type smell.

“None of the team smoke. It came and went, and it felt like something was telling us we needed to leave.”

The team decided to end the investigation early as they became increasingly uneasy.

A team member carrying out the Estes Method at The Hub (Image: Emma Flood)

Emma said: “We all felt really uncomfortable and we wanted to end it while we were still in control.

“It was a really loud bang, much louder than the usual tapping or sounds we hear — it genuinely scared us.

“We checked everything and nothing had fallen or moved. There was no explanation.”

At one point, a team member sitting in a corridor asked for a sign, prompting another loud noise from a nearby office area.

The building, which Emma described as “lovely during the day”, took on a very different feel at night.

She said: “It’s a weird building, it’s so lovely in the day, but at night it’s a completely different vibe.

“When it’s empty, lights off, it feels totally different. Everyone was on edge.”

Emma believes the location may be linked to multiple presences, including what she describes as a young boy near the café area and a calming “caretaker” figure.

However, she also stressed the importance of approaching investigations with caution and respect.

“When you hire a location, you don’t always know what others have done there before.

“We’re very careful, we don’t provoke, we just ask respectful questions.”

The experience has prompted the group to consider taking a short break from investigations at The Hub.

Despite the scare, Para-Northern already has future plans lined up, including an investigation at New Brighton tunnels this week and a visit to the Transport Museum in Manchester in May.

The group is also organising a paranormal meet-up in September, where enthusiasts can share experiences and hear from guest speakers.

Emma, who has been fascinated by the paranormal since childhood, said her passion has never faded.