Take it Away
Take it away is an Arts Council England initiative designed to help more people get involved in learning and playing music. The scheme allows individuals to apply for a loan of up to £2,000 for the purchase of any kind of musical instrument, and pay it back in nine monthly instalments, completely interest free.
You can use Take it away to borrow between £100 and £2000 towards the costs of your chosen instrument, and you can also include music stands, sheet music and other accessories to make sure you have everything you need to get playing.
You will need to pay a minimum 10% of the loan amount at the point of sale by debit or credit card. The rest is then paid back over nine months in equal instalments by direct debit. There is no administrative charge or handling fee when you take out the loan, so you will never be paying more for your purchase than the ticket price.
How do I Take it away?
First, visit Balaam's Music and find an instrument that you want to buy. If you don't know what you're looking for, staff in the store will be able to give you help and advice in selecting the right instrument for your needs.
Once you've made your decision, you can apply for a Take it away loan to finance your purchase. You will need to bring a credit or debit card with you in order to pay the 10% deposit. The application process takes no more than a few minutes and, if approved, you can take your purchase away with you there and then.
To apply for a loan you need to be:
- 18 years old or over*
- A permanent UK resident
- Hold a bank or building society account capable of handling direct debit payments
* if you are under 18, your parent or guardian can apply for a Take it away
loan on your behalf. Loans are subject to status. Terms and conditions apply.
Click Here to read more details

