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 over 120 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.

Find your nearest shop

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.

At Take it away, we work with our retail partners, Arts Council England and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland to break down these barriers. A part of Creative United, a community interest company that drives economic growth and social impact in the arts and creative industries, we provide a range of subsidised and non-subsidised loans. These are designed to make learning, playing and participating in music more affordable and open to everyone. Together with our partners, we look to enable and inspire a life-long love of music.

Credit is provided by Omni Capital Retail Finance.

Young musicians playing the drums piano and flute with teachers

How does it work?

How it works
FAQ
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Who is Take it away run by?

  • Take it away is operated by Creative United, a not-for-profit Community Interest Company.
  • Creative United is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation
  • Creative United provides a range of financial products and services designed to enable the growth and development of the UK’s cultural and creative industries.
  • Our mission is to build a sustainable and resilient creative economy, making the arts accessible for all.
  • The communities that we serve include creative businesses (including individual artists and creative practitioners), charitable and social enterprises, and other organisations operating within the wider arts and creative industries.
Great scheme as it allowed my son to get a nice flute for an intermediate player. I would have been reluctant to pay out right on my credit card as I would have incurred some interest.

Customer 2020

Take it away is a great service and invaluable to any child wishing to learn and develop new skills.

Take it away Parent 2021

Your service is just brilliant. From start to finish the whole process was smooth and without any complications! Just amazing!

Customer 2021

Just a thank you for allowing us this opportunity to buy a quality flute!

Take it away Customer 2021

The Take it away scheme enables the buying of a more expensive instrument. Fantastic facility for those on a limited budget.

Take it away Customer 2020

This scheme made it possible for my son to get the step up instrument he needed.

Take it away Parent 2020

Just thank you.... it has made my children’s music lessons possible.

Take it away Customer 2020

Take it away is a great service and helped me get a high quality instrument without needing to pay a large upfront that might have caused me to change my mind on the purchase.

Take it away Customer 2020

I think it’s a marvellous idea, the way it has been implemented is great - it has been a good move to also include other aspects of instrument purchase, now it’s all part of the package; a guitar’s no good without an amp!

Bass Direct

Mark Stikley / Bass Direct

It has been a very good marketing tool

Henderson Music

Henderson Music / Henderson Music Ltd

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