Grassroots UK esports organiser EPIC.LAN suffered a nasty blow at the start of the month when their van was stolen from its parking spot, dragged to ‘the Corley/Coventry area’, and stripped of vital parts including its engine block – before being dumped even further away.
Managing Director Jon Winkle tweeted photos of the damage, which occurred on the evening of January 31st, along with the statement: “We’re a small business, with employees’ livelihoods to consider and trying to put on affordable community events. We can’t afford this right now, it’s going to cripple us.” Winkle also clarified that insurance would not suffice to cover the financial damage, as the van is leased, meaning EPIC.LAN will lose all deposits paid, as well as no longer having a van.
Utter scumbags, don’t steal shit that is not yours.
We’re a small business, with employees’ livelihoods to consider and trying to put on affordable community events. We can’t afford this right now, it’s going to cripple us.Hope you rot in hell. pic.twitter.com/cOk66BxUHW
— Jon (@jon_winkle) February 1, 2023
The van is vital to EPIC.LAN’s business services, providing technical and broadcast support to events throughout the UK, as well as running their tri-annual EPIC.LAN events in Kettering. Clearly the damage will have a short-term impact on the transportation of equipment, and even if the van can be refurbished or replaced, this will take time – time that EPIC.LAN may not have. The police have been contacted, but according to Winkle, “I’ve been waiting 5 hours just for a crime reference number, I’m not holding out any hope.”
Community members rushed to express support for Winkle and the EPIC.LAN team. John “Dutchy” Holland of Royals said: “I’m sure if you really needed a lot of the scene would be happy to fundraise some money to recoup the costs.” A sentiment echoed by many other comments.
UKCSGO will provide updates if this results in any changes for the planned EPIC38 event later this month.
