Claire’s expected to return to UK high streets with about 50 stores from June

Exclusive: Accessories chain will be reopened in the UK by its operator in France, Austria, Portugal and Spain

The jewellery and accessories chain Claire’s is expected to return to UK high streets with about 50 stores to be reopened from June onwards by the operator of its shops in France, Austria, Portugal and Spain.

Julien Jarjoura, the French entrepreneur behind jewellery company Une Ligne, which sells online and via museum stores including the Louvre and the Palace of Versailles, said he had the blessing of the US owner of the Claire’s brand, Ames Watson, to open stores in the UK and was signing new leases with UK landlords.

The plans emerged just days after the chain closed its final UK stores with the loss of more than 1,000 jobs and ending three decades on British high streets.

“I feel so sad when I see such a nice business going down,” Jarjoura told the Guardian. “The brand was basically dead and we’re bringing it back to life.”