Man who parked tank outside Wickes in a row over kitchen finally moves it - but says the battle is not over
SWNS
2024-02-07
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A man who parked a tank outside Wickes in a row over a kitchen has finally moved it - but says the battle is not over.
Paul Gibbons, 63, says the £25,000 work by the chain was "incomplete, a threat-to-life and deadly".
Paul drove the military vehicle at 6am on December 27 to the store in Basingstoke, Hants, and has had it outside ever since - until today.
The tank is a 1965 decommissioned Abbot self-propelled gun which he borrowed from a friend who rents it to people wishing to protest against big companies.
He is asking for a refund from Wickes for what he described as the “poor quality” £25,000 unfinished kitchen installation at his home last February.
He says it has been overcome with "dangerous" issues including circulatory issues which are at risk of catching fire, mould under the sink, badly fitting units - with one heavy cupboard nearly collapsing on his dog.
Paul, from Kingsclere, Hants, says he has to sleep downstairs due to the high risk of fire so he can escape without becoming trapped.
A sign was later posted on the vehicle warning that it would be removed ‘within 14 days’ of the date of the notice which was January 23.
Paul says Wickes' note on the tank stated the vehicle was 'not road taxed' and it has been 'abandoned there' and they would be will be removing it today (Tues).
Paul disputes this but drove it away in case it got damaged but the chain.
Paul said: "I'm tired, worn out, but my voice is almost coming back now - I am not crushed yet.
"The tank is firstly road-taxed - so their statement isn't true, and I have been with it 40 out of 41 days - that is not abandonment.
"I moved the tank today because it's owner was worried for its safety.
'It did more than it needed to and has done it's job now - it's a 1965 vehicle and there isn't very many left.
"It is really about how this company can chose what they do and don't do.
"They choose not to give people what they pay for - I don't understand how they think they can get away with it.
"I don't want a company to be able to do what they want without consequence - if they are going to take people's money they should give them what they paid for.
"Lives have been blighted by this company, but we are all going to come together.
This is just the beginning."
Though initially Paul admits he felt alone, depressed and powerless in his plight, he claims there are thousands of people just like him.
He said: "The tank was a way of making a very loud, very quiet protest, people wouldn't talk to me if I was just sat outside with a placard - whereas when the tank was there, people came and asked me why and you tell them.
''This protest has taught me not only am I not by myself - but there are thousands fighting the same battle, I now realise that.
"We have to see if we can get something done, because it's not fair that a company like this, even though it's not just this one, don't give you what you paid for and then they don't fix it.
Paul Gibbons, 63, says the £25,000 work by the chain was "incomplete, a threat-to-life and deadly".
Paul drove the military vehicle at 6am on December 27 to the store in Basingstoke, Hants, and has had it outside ever since - until today.
The tank is a 1965 decommissioned Abbot self-propelled gun which he borrowed from a friend who rents it to people wishing to protest against big companies.
He is asking for a refund from Wickes for what he described as the “poor quality” £25,000 unfinished kitchen installation at his home last February.
He says it has been overcome with "dangerous" issues including circulatory issues which are at risk of catching fire, mould under the sink, badly fitting units - with one heavy cupboard nearly collapsing on his dog.
Paul, from Kingsclere, Hants, says he has to sleep downstairs due to the high risk of fire so he can escape without becoming trapped.
A sign was later posted on the vehicle warning that it would be removed ‘within 14 days’ of the date of the notice which was January 23.
Paul says Wickes' note on the tank stated the vehicle was 'not road taxed' and it has been 'abandoned there' and they would be will be removing it today (Tues).
Paul disputes this but drove it away in case it got damaged but the chain.
Paul said: "I'm tired, worn out, but my voice is almost coming back now - I am not crushed yet.
"The tank is firstly road-taxed - so their statement isn't true, and I have been with it 40 out of 41 days - that is not abandonment.
"I moved the tank today because it's owner was worried for its safety.
'It did more than it needed to and has done it's job now - it's a 1965 vehicle and there isn't very many left.
"It is really about how this company can chose what they do and don't do.
"They choose not to give people what they pay for - I don't understand how they think they can get away with it.
"I don't want a company to be able to do what they want without consequence - if they are going to take people's money they should give them what they paid for.
"Lives have been blighted by this company, but we are all going to come together.
This is just the beginning."
Though initially Paul admits he felt alone, depressed and powerless in his plight, he claims there are thousands of people just like him.
He said: "The tank was a way of making a very loud, very quiet protest, people wouldn't talk to me if I was just sat outside with a placard - whereas when the tank was there, people came and asked me why and you tell them.
''This protest has taught me not only am I not by myself - but there are thousands fighting the same battle, I now realise that.
"We have to see if we can get something done, because it's not fair that a company like this, even though it's not just this one, don't give you what you paid for and then they don't fix it.
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