Call for museum renaming after Margaret Thatcher

A statue of Margaret Thatcher stands near Grantham Museum

Grantham Museum should be renamed after Margaret Thatcher, according to a council leader.

Ashley Baxter, leader of South Kesteven District Council, said a rebrand would “increase footfall.”

The museum is located at St Peter's Hill, near the statue of the former prime minister, who was born in the town.

In a statement, the museum said a name change was “not something we would support or consider.”

Council leader Ashley Baxter said renaming the museum would attract more visitors

Mr Baxter said he believed more people would visit the museum if it was named after Margaret Thatcher.

“Far more people will be looking up the name Margaret Thatcher compared to searching for Grantham Museum,” he said.

“Some people are fond of her legacy, and some despise it.

“If we tell the story with different perspectives, far more people will be likely to come to Grantham to see the statue and visit the museum,” he added.

In March, the statue of Margaret Thatcher was vandalised.

Visitor Laura Stala-Kettle, 46, said renaming the museum was not a good idea.

“It would stop people from visiting,” she said.

“But I think if she had done exactly the same as she did but was a man I do not think there would be as much hatred.”

'A clown'

Grantham resident Maddie Howe said renaming the museum would be a mistake

Maddie Howe, 22, from Grantham, described Mrs Thatcher as "a clown".

"She is controversial, I would not be happy for the name to change," she added.

A spokesperson for Grantham Museum said: "It is not something we would support or consider."

They added: "We remain committed to promoting all of Grantham, its rich history and its heritage."

Follow BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail].