THE centre of Helensburgh could be set to host a series of live music performances this summer - and local artists are being encouraged to sign up.

Members of Helensburgh Community Council (HCC) have proposed the entertainment schedule for Colquhoun Square, initially coinciding with the fortnightly Market in the Square events which take place on the second and last Saturdays of each month.

Work is under way to look into the infrastructure that may be needed to accommodate the outdoor gigs, such as platforms and power supplies, and whether an entertainment licence will be required from Argyll and Bute Council.

At HCC’s June meeting, held online, member Roger Ferdinand said: “The market already attracts an audience. That would be a great place to start.

“We should look to use local music people, like the Neptune band from the base, for example, plus choirs and dancers.

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“We should try to get local bands to put themselves forward for an audition to see if they’re suitable to take the opportunity.

“We’ll probably find there’s a whole subculture of people trying to get bands together, playing in people’s garages, all this sort of thing, and they just want an opportunity to put themselves in front of the public.

“They can select their best songs and play a few on the day.

“They will normally bring along 30 to 40 people to support them or throw bottles at them, one or the other.”

Fellow community councillor Nigel Millar welcomed the suggestion, but warned that neighbours living near the square would need to be notified beforehand.

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He said: “There’s a commercial aspect to this because if it is anywhere near successful, both the local music makers and the market organisers will bring their own fans, they will attract people, and hopefully people who will spend money in the square and in the local shops.

“We must let the neighbours know that this is the intention because what we don’t want is to start up and then suddenly we get a howl of derision and opposition because of a small amount of noise on a Saturday morning.”

John Tacchi also backed the idea, adding: “One of the original justifications for the configuration of Colquhoun Square was that it would attract and be able to put on events the like of which we’re now talking.

“It’s taken a while to come round but that seems great to me.”

Any local musicians interested in taking part are being asked to email tsdurrani@gmail.com for more information, and include a brief statement covering their background and experience.