A BRUSH with a ghost did not stop a Rochdale curry chef launching his new restaurant set in a 400-year-old grade one listed Tudor house in Samlesbury.
Farooq Ahmed, who also owns the Veenas in Heywood, said he had heard that the building was haunted but did not expect to encounter any spirits so soon at the Tamarind Tree on Cuerdale Lane, Samlesbury.
Only days before the opening, Farooq said he was out late at night putting some finishing touches to the building with some members of staff, when a white figure brushed past his leg.
When he turned around, he saw a white breezy figure run across the road and disappeared into the fields.
Said Farooq: "It looked like a man but some of the staff said they thought it was a woman.
"It did freak us out but we have not seen it since.
"I have heard that the place is haunted but didn't think i'll encounter any ghosts so soon."
During the official launch party, seven mayors from Greater Manchester and Lancashire were invited to sample some of dishes on the menu before they were given a tour of the place.
The restaurant is a former 16th Century farmhouse.
It was built by a fervent Catholic and supporter of Mary Queen of Scots, Sir John Southworth who also owned the spooky 14th Century manor house, Samlesbury Hall, which is also reported to be haunted by the 'White Lady'.
With the accession of Elizabeth 1 to the English throne, the tide had turned against Catholicism, the faith was forced underground, masses were held in secret and priests were persecuted,
Southwark is reported to have harboured Father Edmund Campion in a cleverly concealed priesthole at the farmhouse, then known as the Lodge.
Campion was later arrested and tortured. He was charged with having plotted rebellion abroad and was condemned to death. He was hanged, drawn and quartered at Tyburn.
Farooq is not sure whether the white figure he saw was the 'White Lady' or even Campion's spirit, but he feels the history of the building only added more character and charm to the restaurant.
"I find it all really fascinating. Samlesbury itself has so much history and local people can tell a few tales about ghost spotting in different parts of town."