It's really simple to use Take it away to help spread the cost of buying a musical instrument. Just follow the steps below.

1 - Check if you're eligible

To be eligible to apply for a Take it away loan you must be:

• EITHER an individual over 18 buying an instrument for a child under the age of 18
• OR an individual aged 18-25 using the scheme to buy an instrument for themselves (or someone else, e.g. as a gift)

 

All applicants must also be:

• A permanent UK resident
• Working at least 16 hours per week
• Hold a bank or building society account capable of handling direct debit payments

2 - Find a participating store

You must make your Take it away purchase from one of our registered member retailers. We've got over 320 music shops to choose from across England and specialising in a whole range of musical instruments. Search our full list of shops.

3 - Pick your instrument

You can pick from a whole range of musical instruments sold by our member retailers. You can include additional items like an instrument case, sheet music or spare strings to add onto your purchase too. Please remember that there are some items which are ineligible for purchase with a Take it away loan.

The staff in the music shop will be able to advise you on the right instrument for your needs, or for your child's needs if you are buying an instrument for them.

4 - Complete the application form and customer survey/declaration

Once you've told the staff in the music shop that you'd like to use Take it away to buy your chosen instrument, they'll go through the loan application process with you. This involves a credit check being carried out on you. It shouldn't take long.

If you're 18-25 and using the scheme to buy an instrument for yourself, you will then need to complete a short customer survey, answering a few quick questions about you and your purchase.

If you're using the scheme to buy an instrument for a child under 18, you will then need to complete a customer declaration, providing some details about the instrument recipient and confirming that you are purchasing an instrument for an under 18.

5 - Pay your deposit

If your application is approved, you'll need to pay a 10% deposit of the cost of the instrument. The remaining cost will be the value of your Take it away loan which you will repay over 9 monthly instalments (on goods of £100 - £2,000) or 18 months (on goods of £800 - £5,000).

6 - Take it away!

If your application has been approved and you've paid your 10% deposit, there's only one more thing to do - Take your instrument away and get playing!

 

Loans are subject to status. Terms and conditions apply. Applicants aged 18-25 applying in their own right can also apply via mail-order through participating retailers. Contact them directly for details.