A bid has been launched to open Kent’s first branch of a popular chain of restaurants that serve up Mexican, Brazilian and Argentinian food.

Plans have been revealed to open Las Iguanas inside what used to be Café Rouge in Longmarket, Canterbury.

This comes after the owners of the chain, Big Table Group, announced it would pump millions of pounds into the Latin American chain in order to add 35 new sites to its portfolio.

Bosses made the decision to go-ahead with the move – which is expected to create 1,250 jobs nationwide – after its performance as pandemic restrictions were lifted “exceeded all expectations”.

“Las Iguanas has consistently proven to be an extremely popular choice with consumers,” chief executive Alan Morgan explained last year.

“Now is the perfect time to grow the brand across the country, targeting high footfall locations in major towns and city centres.”

Las Iguanas – which has restaurants across the country – serves up a range of Latin American staples, like nachos, tacos, empanadas, fajitas and enchiladas.

It is also popular for its bottomless brunches and cocktail menu.

The proposals lodged with Canterbury City Council this week are for “new signage [to be erected for the] rebranding of the restaurant to Las Iguanas”.

Papers show the eatery will move into the high street premises previously occupied by Café Rouge, located between Côte Brasserie and an O2 Shop.

Café Rouge shut down after its owner the Casual Dining Group – which was later bought up and rebadged as Big Table Group – went into administration in July 2020.

The addition of Las Iguanas comes as six other restaurants eye up moves into the city centre, following the launch of Franco Manca in Guildhall Street earlier this month.

An eatery called Herd, which centres on serving up steak dishes, is getting set to launch in the old Gourmet Burger Kitchen unit next to Subway.

It has a licensing application in with the local authority seeking permission for live music performances and the sale of alcohol.

It could act as a rival to the meat-led menu at Socialite, which is primed to open on July 1.

The rooftop restaurant above the city's Hampton by Hilton hotel in St Margaret's Street will cater for more than 100 diners.

Bosses are awaiting to secure the green light for sax players, violinists and DJs at the venue.

A spokesman said: “We’re thrilled to announce our bookings are now open and we’ll be taking table reservations from Friday, July 1.

“We guarantee Socialite will be the ultimate new location in Canterbury, perfect for a luxury dining experience.”

Just a few doors down, Cosy Club – which already has 31 branches across the country, but none in Kent – has its sights set on the former Closs & Hamblin store.

The chain says it prides itself on offering table service in grand interiors which "create a sense of occasion".

A New Orleans-style sandwich shop, named Po'Boys, is also poised to open in the former West Cornwall Pasty Company store opposite Patisserie Valerie.

And further along St Peter’s Street is the empty Sta Travel unit, which looks likely to be filled by Tortilla - the UK’s largest so-called “fast-casual” Mexican brand.

American fast-food giant Taco Bell is also set to take on the former Jigsaw clothes store, converting the high street shop into a restaurant and takeaway.

In documents submitted to the city council, representatives of the chain noted how securing a retail tenant in Canterbury is now difficult – whereas interest in the hospitality sector is strong.

“Many of the named brands that have high street requirements are nervous about Canterbury due to its strong links with tourism and the effect the pandemic has had on footfall in the area,” they state.

“The high street is no longer considered a prime retailing pitch."