Frank Innes

The ghost of a little boy nicknamed "Sammy" has been reported here and in the basement, as well as in the tunnels directly below that lead to the Guildhall. Paperweights had been thrown across the deck, random numerals appeared on calculators, and the cleaner's mop bucket would "zoom" by on its own. The most recent occupiers of the property know of Sammy and have seen him twice in recent months (as of mid December 2025) and he was happy and smiling.

A 2025 newspaper article adds more details: J Roy Thompson, the manager of William and Glyn's bank, said that before his premises was demolished, staff noted that, "From time to time, various articles such as printouts and stationery went missing and eventually turned up in the strangest places - which Sammy got the blame for ... Three men were doing test borings for the new foundations, when the torch light revealed a cellar and a small boy. They spoke to him and he disappeared up what appeared to be a flight of stairs but, on closer examination, the steps were sealed off and there was no way out." It was initially thought that Sammy had disappeared after the 1973 demolition, but a memo in 1980 written by PJB Grange, the assistant manager of the new property said that, "The cleaners have told us that Sammy is back with us. According to them, it is particularly noticeable when a new member of staff starts and Sammy gets upset and can be heard crying and also banging about on the stairs. According to the cleaners, sometimes the swivel chairs will turn around for no reason and doors will open and shut again, also for no reason. Following the conversation we had with the cleaners, we made a challenge to them to leave us a note if Sammy made himself known. We had a new young lady start this week and have today received a note from them saying they assume a new member of staff has started as Sammy has been crying and banging on the stairs. Off-hand we can think of no reason why the cleaners would know that a new member of staff had started, particularly as we have been very careful to ensure no new names have appeared on wall charts in the office. As bankers we don't believe anything until we see it ourselves but having said that there are not too many volunteers for people staying behind at night." A former bank employee has said that their colleagues did not want to work alone in the basement and another person working on the rebuilding saw Sammy on the scaffolding one day.

Link: Great British Ghosts

Derby Telegraph