COLCHESTER town centre’s culinary world tour is set to continue apace with the arrival of a new Latino restaurant.

Las Iguanas, a chain restaurant offering up foods from a range of Central and South American nations, wants to open a new eatery in Greytown House, close to revamped department store Fenwick on the High Street.

The chain has more than 50 restaurants across the country, with the nearest to Colchester in Braintree, Chelmsford and Thurrock.

An application has been lodged to Colchester Council for the new restaurant to have permission to open between 9am and 12.30am throughout the week.

Bosses hope the restaurant will open next year and create approximately 40 new jobs.

A spokesman said: "We’re looking forward to sharing our unique blend of fresh South American food, awesome cocktails and vibrant atmosphere with the Colchester. "

Earlier this month The Gazette revealed Japanese restaurant giant Wagamamas has also applied to open a new outlet in Colchester High Street.

If both are given permission, then the two popular chains would be running next door to one another.

In the last few months, Brazilian buffet chain restaurant Preto has opened up on the High Street, with Mexican fast food outlet Taco Bell following hot on their heels to to welcome customers on nearby Head Street.

A new American diner Kaspa’s is set to open in both the former Old Fellas and Clowns premises.

Independent restaurateur Adem Lacin opened up Love Thy Burger on the High Street last year, and the concept has been so popular a second store is now opening in Ipswich.

He said the influx of chains is no bad thing, as long as the correct balance is maintained," he said.

“There is a lot coming in and you do not want too many places which are serving food.

“High Streets are changing and you have got to think competition is healthy for businesses.

“Rival restaurants are much better than having empty shops.

“For me, Preto opening next door to us was a big plus because it brought more potential customers down to our end of the High Street because since Cafe Rouge closed down it has been an empty unit.

“If the Colchester public think there is too many restaurants then I think you have got a problem and it will be then when places are forced to shut.

“But that will make people up their game and the most popular places shouldn’t have a problem.”

He added: “At the minute, for us things are going really well."

Anyone who wants to comment on the Las Iguanas application can do so by emailing licensing.committee@colchester.gov.uk.