Basildon shoppers will reap the profits after retail tycoon Philip Green said he is preparing to wage a high street war on Marks & Spencer after dropping his £9.1billion takeover bid.

As chief executive Stuart Rose gets to grips with his task of turning around the struggling retailer, Mr Green said his group, which includes Bhs, Top Shop and Dorothy Perkins, would now do battle in a high street "judgment day'' with M&S.

Mr Green said: "The big winners are going to be the customers." Bhs is next to Marks & Spencer in Basildon town centre.

He added: "They are going to have us breathing down their neck in every street."

Published Thursday July 15, 2004

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