Wilko stores could be set to return to Suffolk's high streets after the retailer closed all of its stores earlier this year. 

The retailer had closed its outlets in Ipswich, Mildenhall, Bury St Edmunds and Lowestoft in recent weeks after the company went into administration. 

A number of last minute bids failed to keep the stores open. 

The loss of Wilko was described as a "real blow" to high streets by Ipswich's senior Labour councillor Colin Kreidewolf. 

However, Wilko could now be reopening in Suffolk as part of an "aggressive roll-out plan" by The Range, which purchased a number of Wilko stores. 

The exact locations are not yet known but a spokesman for Wilko said teams are looking at former Wilko stores and new sites across the UK and there are plans to have national coverage again in 2024. 

The Range is currently in negotiations with local landlords about reopening stores. 

Alex Simpkin, chief executive of CDS Superstores, trading as The Range and Wilko, said: "The public reaction to the loss of Wilko stores was undeniable. 

"It’s clear that there’s a huge love for Wilko and we’ve seen an encouraging demand for the return of its own-brand products. 

"That’s why we’ve taken the decision to reintroduce Wilko back to many of the high streets and communities that it used to so proudly serve.

“Our team from Wilko that joined us through the acquisition has shown true resilience, they’ve set to work to integrate the best parts of Wilko into The Range’s operational systems.

"We’re expanding that team every day with new Wilko hires and can’t wait to extend that back out to local communities.

“We’ll endeavour to give ex-Wilko employees priority as a part of the recruitment process for the new stores.”