Las Iguanas has been fined £50,000 for breaching food safety standards at its Liverpool restaurant.
A case was brought against the chain’s city centre branch after a surprise inspection by Liverpool City Council’s environmental team in February last year.
Health inspectors found traces of mice and cockroaches in the kitchen of the outlet, which is the second Liverpool One eatery to be fined for the problem.
Earlier this month Italian restaurant Zizzi, situated next door to Las Iguanas, received a £30,000 fine for a similar problem with mice in their premises.
Bosses at Las Iguanas temporarily closed down its operation following their inspection and reopened five days later on February 22, 2016.
The company pledged guilty to the charges at Liverpool Magistrates Court, where it was hit with a £50,000 fine and ordered to pay £4,470 in prosecution costs.
Speaking after the hearing, Liverpool One’s estate director Chris Bliss said: “As soon as the pest issues arose at Las Iguanas the restaurant acted quickly to address these.
“Following this incident Las Iguanas sought every opportunity to work together with the council’s environmental health team and have continued to demonstrate a positive and proactive approach.
“It is our priority to make sure our visitors enjoy every trip to Liverpool One and together with our tenants we are continuing to set and maintain the highest standards.”