Plans are in motion for high street icon Claire’s to return to towns and cities across the country, just days after it shut its final UK stores. The operator of the jewellery and accessories chain in France, Austria, Portugal and Spain is looking to reopen around 50 shops in the UK from next month.

French entrepreneur Julien Jarjoura has revealed he is signing new leases with landlords to reopen Claire’s stores in the coming weeks. Mr Jarjoura said he is aiming to reopen four to 10 UK shops a week from June in what will be a huge boost to British high streets. More than 1,000 jobs were lost when Claire’s closed its last remaining 154 UK and Ireland high street stores on Monday.

Speaking to The Guardian, Mr Jarjoura said: “The brand was basically dead and we’re bringing it back to life.”

He added: “A lot of people think Claire’s is a British brand. It is extremely famous in the UK and there is no way it is going away.”

Claire’s first launched in the UK 30 years ago and has come under pressure from low-priced online competitors in recent years.

Mr Jarjoura, who is behind jewellery company Une Ligne, previously tried to buy Claire’s when it fell into administration in January and currently operates around 240 Claire’s stores across Europe.

The businessman indicated strategy changes are on the horizon as he said UK Claire’s stores had become reliant on large discounts due to products that were too pricey.

“There will definitely be some brand repositioning,” he said. “We are not a discount store but we like to sell stuff at a fair price.”

Plans include revamping shops, continuing ear-piercing services and introducing new jewellery and accessories starting at £1.90 but could rise to more than £100, according to The Guardian.

Mr Jarjoura said he has received permission from the US owner of the Claire’s brand to reopen stores in the UK.

Some of Claire’s former UK executives have reportedly been rehired by Mr Jarjoura ahead of the relaunch.

He is expected to keep open some of its 356 concessions but has not taken on the previous head office in Birmingham or bought old stock from administrators Kroll.

Mr Jarjoura said he is funding the UK business himself, meaning it will be debt-free, and suggested patience will be needed when it comes to making a profit.

“We are not unrealistic in terms of getting benefits from this company for three to five years,” he said.