The Range boss announces plans to open up to 300 new Wilko stores with 50 already 'with the lawyers'

Mr Dawson said these 50 store openings are "currently with the lawyers", as he announced plans to open up to 300 Wilko sites.

Announcing the plans during a visit to the Plymouth Wilko outlet, which will open on December 1, the businessman said the sites would located "more or less where they were".

WATCH NOW: Wilko shoppers react to store closures

All 400 Wilko stores closed their doors for the final time in October, after administrators failed to find a buyer for the whole of the business.

However, administrators for Wilko did reach a deal with The Range, to acquire the Wilko Brand, website and intellectual property.

Speaking to PlymouthLive, Mr Simpkin said: “There are about 50 Wilkos opening in addition to these three.”

Mr Dawson said: “Those are with the lawyers - but it will be 300, more or less where there were, in most cases, ex-Wilko stores.

"Wilko had 406 stores, we don’t see that, our intelligence says we will do just under 300, I don’t know how long that will take.”

Poundland owner Pepco agreed a deal to buy up to 71 Wilko sites, with the retailer having since confirmed it will have reopened 64 former Wilko stores under the Poundland brand by the end of this year.

Wilko administrators also entered into an agreement with B&M, giving them the option to buy up to 51 properties.

Since being acquired by The Range owner CDS Superstores, Wilko has announced five concept stores will open before Christmas, ahead of a "wider rollout" in 2024. Two of the locations and opening dates are yet to be announced.

Wilko said it planned to recruit up to 80 local team members for each of these five stores.

The brand's new owner, CDS Superstores, pledged to prioritise interviews for former Wilko employees.

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The collapse of the company meant 12,500 members of staff were made redundant.

CDS Superstores CEO Alex Simpkin said: “It’s clear that there’s a huge love for wilko and we’re proud to confirm we’ll be re-introducing the brand to high streets in Plymouth, Exeter and Luton in the coming weeks.

“We’re also glad to be bringing employment opportunities to these towns and for helping local families and communities have easy access to all the everyday home and garden items they need once again.

“This initial rollout is only the beginning for our plans for revitalising the wilko brand on the nation’s high streets and retail parks, and we’ll be announcing further store launches and re-openings throughout 2024.”

GB News has contacted Wilko asking for comment.