A NEW independent community pharmacy could be set to bring much-needed service to the area.

A proposal for a new pharmacy in Helensburgh was presented to the town's community council (HCC) last week.

Best friends Daniel Frame and Muaz Jamil said the closure of the smaller Boots in Sinclair Street had had prompted them to see an opportunity. And they also liked the town and wanted to be part of it.

Mr Jamil highlighted coverage in the Advertiser of the increased pressure on services in the area, and said a new pharmacy would work with the others in the area along with GPs.

He told HCC on May 30: "We are interested in the possibility of a new community pharmacy in Helensburgh. Daniel is quite familiar with the area - we just felt it would be an incredible area to work and live in.

"We looked at job prospects and that's when we discovered the closure of Boots."

READ MORE: Helensburgh Boots sees thousands more customers after change

He said the now closed Boots was "was doing more than the national average of prescriptions" and that it was clearly a large commercial decision to shut it.

Mr Jamil said he is currently a manager in Falkirk and that Mr Frame is regularly in Helensburgh playing rugby.

He said: "Everyone deserves a service and access to the service regardless of where they are."

Community councillors asked various questions including how far out from the town they would deliver and what services would be offered.

Mr Jamil said deliveries would be a "fundamental part of our service and it would be free".

He said: "The core services will be all very similar, prescriptions and advice. It's the delivery of these services that can set us apart."

A pamphlet distributed at the meeting stated: "In a growing population such as Helensburgh, adequate pharmacy services are central to the wellbeing and prosperity of the community.

"In recent times, Helensburgh has experienced the opposite. Hence, Daniel and I propose to you, our vision for the future of pharmacy in Helensburgh.

"One weekend while walking along the beach front, we spoke about how amazing it would be to work and live in Helensburgh.

"This led us to look into the job prospects. This was when we truly realised Helensburgh could benefit from an independent community pharmacy that puts the needs of the community first."

The pamphlet highlighted the Alder Gate development and MoD estimates that 1,700 people were expected to move to the area by 2030.

"If pressures on healthcare are not addressed now, this will cause immense burden in the future," it added.

A spokesperson for Argyll and Bute HSCP said: "A contractor has shown interest in applying for a Community Pharmacy contract in Helensburgh.

"Before submitting the contract application, a 90-day public consultation must be carried out. A press release will be issued to announce the beginning of the consultation period."