A man who parked a tank outside a Wickes home improvement store in protest over a kitchen has been told it will be removed in 14 days – but says he’s not budging.
Paul Gibbons, 63, drove the vehicle to the Basingstoke store in a row over some work.
Fed-up Paul has demanded a refund from Wickes for his “poor quality” £25,000 kitchen installation at his home last February. He says it has been plagued with issues including mold under the sink, badly fitting units with a poor finish and one heavy drawer nearly collapsing on his dog.
The tank is a 1963 decommissioned Abbot self-propelled gun that he borrowed from a friend who lends it to people who want to protest against big companies. He parked it outside the store on December 27 and declared he won’t move it until he receives a refund.
A sign has now been posted on the vehicle warning that it will be removed ‘within 14 days’ of the date of the notice which is January 23. But Paul says it’s not going anywhere.
“I intend to stay as long as it takes for justice,” said Paul.
”I find it bizarre that Wickes can choose which bits of the law they will obey. “The tank is there as a peaceful protest.
“If they wish it to be moved there is a simple solution – pay me back what they have of mine and my out-of-pocket expenses.
”I am not looking for huge amounts of compensation, I just want to be back to where I was last year when this debacle started. “I find it obscene that having money, therefore power, makes them think that they are above the law.”
Gibbons said he will contact the police if Wickes tried to remove or destroy the vehicle.
The tank has been parked at the store since Dec. 27, 2023. SWNS.
An acrostic sign for ‘Wickes’ placed on the vehicle read ‘Warning Incompetent Complacent Kitchen Equipment Supplier.’ The sign, from Wickes, states: “This vehicle/item has been notified to us as being abandoned and/or not having valid road tax and will be removed within 14 days of this notice being issued.
“If this vehicle is not abandoned, please contact us on the below number immediately and/or arrange for it to be removed from site.” It warns that failure to remove the vehicle within 14 days will result in it being “sold or destroyed”.
A spokesperson for Wickes previously said: “We are aware of the situation at the Basingstoke store and would like to apologize for any inconvenience that has been caused to shoppers visiting the store today.
“Our Customer Relations team is in contact with the customer to discuss their installation and help to resolve the issue.”
Produced in association with SWNS Talker
