If you were to open a tourist attraction, a museum or a site of historic interest today in the noughties, would you even consider as a possible name:
THE SHELL GROTTO
Not if you actually wanted to attract (paying) visitors!
I’m as cynical as most people about those marketing agencies who charge millions to come up with a name and a logo (think Olympics, or even Turner Contemporary thingy…)
Shell Grotto as a name, was a turn OFF in the 1990’s, when I first came to Margate and visited it and I have had to work hard over the years to persuade people that it really is interesting and worth visiting. No one is interested in visiting a SHELL GROTTO! I think the Museum of Ancient & Mysterious Margate sounds more interesting.
Shell Grotto was its Victorian name, reflecting the era when it was discovered and opened to the public. The owners have done a brilliant job with bringing it up to date (including the website) so my BIG suggestion is a new name.
Discovered in 1835, when the Northdown Road area was mostly fields, it is an underground passage and chambers with walls and ceilings entirely covered in shells. The when and why of its creation and decoration are unknown.
According to our local newspaper, the Thanet Adscene, its future existence is now under threat due to penetrating rain water and damp. £20,000 is the estimated cost for the work to save the Shell Grotto. I would imagine (but am only guessing) that it is very difficult for the owners to raise the funds for a couple (or 3) reasons:
1. It is privately owned and run as a business, so it is not in the hands of a charity.
There are many trusts which give out grants only to charities.
2. Its location probably makes it hard to attract tourists.
The new owners have transformed the shop/ tea room and
installed new lighting, however, it is off the beaten track.
3. The name, the Shell Grotto!
Myself, I have been a visitor to the Grotto numerous times and I send all my visitors there. It is quite amazing, it is special and should be preserved.
If you are a local person and have not visited it this century then put it high on you list of places to visit. It may not be there much longer!
THEN, if you think it is worth preserving ask the owners what you can do to help raise the funds.
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