Creative Sector Services CIC (t/a Creative United) Take it away Scheme Credit Provider Contract

Creative Sector Services CIC, trading as Creative United, is seeking a provider to deliver consumer credit services for its Take it Away Scheme, a publicly funded initiative that will begin on 1 November 2026 and run for 18 months with the possibility of extension to a maximum of 42 months. The contract will cover the full operation of the Scheme across an approved network of musical instrument retailers in England, and, where approved by partner Arts Councils, may be extended to include retailers in Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland during the term of the award. Creative United’s purpose is to increase access to musical instruments and associated learning resources for all UK residents over 18 who qualify for interest‑free loans.

The Scheme offers interest‑free loans ranging between £100 and £25,000, which may be used to purchase instruments, software, equipment or related services such as tuition blocks. Priority is given to customers earning below the median UK wage, those in areas with low arts participation, first‑time instrument purchasers, and customers who are disabled or purchasing on their behalf. The service provider must administer the credit process through the network of retailers, ensuring compliance with funding guidelines and the specific eligibility criteria set out by Creative United.

The contracting entity requires that the chosen provider can manage the Scheme’s credit operations, maintain accurate records, and support the targeted customer groups, while also meeting the predefined loan limits and interest‑free payment structure.

A tender opportunity is offered by Creative Sector Services CIC (trading as Creative United), for the provision of consumer credit services for the Take it away Scheme (the Scheme) commencing 1 November 2026 for a period of 18 months, with provision for Creative United to extend the contract for two (2) further twelve (12) month periods (subject to performance review in accordance with the terms and conditions of contract) up to a maximum of forty-two(42) months in total.

The Take it away Scheme is a publicly funded initiative designed to make it more affordable for people to get involved in learning and playing music by providing interest free loans of between £100 and £25,000 for the purchase of musical instruments, equipment, software any other associated goods or services they may need (such as a block of tuition) in order to get started or further develop their music practice.

Creative United's objective is to use the Take it away scheme to support creative livelihoods by providing affordable access to musical instruments to people of all ages and abilities across the UK, working in partnership with musical instrument retailers and other organisations across the music sector.

The Scheme is open to all qualifying UK residents over the age of 18 (subject to status) and made available via a network of approved musical instrument retailers in England. A variation of the scheme in partnership with the Arts Council of Northern Ireland is available exclusively to Northern Ireland Residents over the age of 18.

The awarded contract would cover the provision of the Scheme through the network of retailers in England and in Northern Ireland. The opportunity may also exist during the term of the awarded contract for the Scheme to be extended to include a network of retailers in Wales and/or Scotland subject to the agreement and financial support of their respective Arts Councils (or other funders) in due course. For the avoidance of doubt the inclusion of Scotland and Wales is not guaranteed but is included as a potential enlargement of the Scheme for the purposes of this procurement, subject to the caveat above.

Under our current funding agreement with ACE, our priority is to support customers that fall into one or more of the following target categories:
- Customers earning below the median UK wage of £34,000
- Customers living in areas of low participation in the arts (as reported by the Department for Culture Media and Sport, and the Office of National Statistics
- Customers purchasing a musical instrument for the first time
- Customers that identify as disabled (or purchasing on behalf of a disabled person)

To apply:
You should complete and return a copy of our attached Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) by 17 July 2026.

All supporting documents including the Invitation to Tender (ITT) which includes the specifics of the contract are available to download from this notice.
Contract is suitable for SMEs?: Yes
Contract is suitable for VCSEs?: No