M&S/Cook relations in the deep freeze

Marks & Spencer has been slammed by frozen food retailer Cook in a David and Goliath-style row over branding.

M&S's Cook-branded food range - and, most recently, its Cook zone at Gateshead's Lifestore - has provoked fury at the Cook retail chain. It means a three-year-old row has erupted again, with new vehemence.

In a letter to M&S chief executive Roger Holmes, Cook managing director James Perry said: 'It is the source of great concern to us to read about the recent developments of your Cook shop in your new 'Lifestore' concept.

'This development is highly likely to cause serious confusion to Cook consumers, were you to roll it out nationally.'

M&S has yet to respond to Perry's latest letter, but in previous correspondence has argued that it is 'unaware of any confusion' among customers over both retailers' use of the word.

- Rising Star: page 16.