Hi Sean,
I don't know what Mech you have but on mine it has two screws on the top of the mech. You need to put the chain onto the bottom chain ring and then turn one of the screws, (trial and error to see which one moves the mech on the lower ring), the mech should move in and out when you turn the screw. It sounds like you need to get the front mech to move out slightly away from the bike.
All you need is to mess about a bit with one of the screws and it will be sorted, pretty easy really. Don't move it in too much else you will get drag against the mech when in the smaller sprockets, although you should expect maybe some slight drag when you are on the smallest cog and smallest chain ring.
Hope that helps.
Cheers
Marek....