Creative United: Take It Away Scheme
Overview
With interest-free loans for musical instruments, equipment and software, we help to support musicians at every level.
You can buy an instrument using the loan scheme at one of the 130 music shops across England and Northern Ireland. If your local store doesn't offer Take it away, let us know and we can contact them or offer an alternative.
Whether you are a professional musician or just starting out, making music can be tough financially. The cost of instruments and private lessons mean some people never discover the joy of learning and playing music. For disabled musicians who need adapted instruments, the problems can be particularly challenging.
How does it work
- Find a local or online shop
- Take it away is available through over 130 music instrument shops in England and Northern Ireland. Use their search tool to find the most suitable one.
- Choose your instrument
- Their network of shops have knowledgeable staff who will help you find the perfect instrument, equipment and tech to suit your needs.
- Complete the application form
- If applying in-store, take proof of ID (passport or drivers license) and let staff know that you would like to pay using Take it away. This involves a credit check being carried out on you; you will need a deposit (minimum 10%). Alternatively, if you are applying online, you should see the option to select Take it away when checking out.
- Get playing!
- If your application has been approved and you’ve paid your deposit, there’s only one more thing to do – Take your instrument away and get playing!
What can you buy
Their retailers can offer their interest-free loans for musical instruments, equipment, software and tuition. They can offer these in-store and online.
They don’t set limits on the instruments they fund. Instruments can be new or reconditioned. Indeed, in both England and Northern Ireland, they encourage musical passions of every complexion, from bass guitars to xylophones.
Eligibility
As a passion for music-making can develop at any time of life, they have interest-free loans to support musicians of every age in England and Northern Ireland – with subsidised options tailored to children and young adults in England.
All applicants must:
- Be over 18 years old
- Be a permanent UK resident
- Have a regular income that exceeds £5,000 per year
- Hold a bank or building society account capable of handling direct debit payments
Loans are subject to status. Terms and conditions apply.
How much can you borrow
In England, you can get a Take it away interest free loan of between £100 and £5,000.
The core scheme, which all their shops in England offer, is available to UK residents, who have a regular income that exceeds £5,000 per year and are either 18-25 years old, or over 18 and buying an instrument for a child under 18.
Some participating stores also offer interest free credit up to the value of £25,000 to eligible customers over the age of 18. Speak to your local shop for further details
In England, if the cost of the instrument/s you want to buy exceed the £5,000 loan limit, you can use Take it away as a part-payment towards the instrument/s. You would then need to pay the remaining balance by an alternative method. It is not possible to split the cost of an instrument/s over more than one loan application.
In Northern Ireland, you can get a Take it away interest free loan of up to £2,000. The scheme is open to all, regardless of age, as long as you are a resident of Northern Ireland.
Some participating stores also offer interest free credit up to the value of £25,000 to eligible customers over the age of 18. Speak to your local shop for further details.