Tender: Consumer Credit Provider for 'Take it away' Interest-Free Music Loan Scheme – Creative United (England & Northern Ireland)

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Creative Sector Services CIC (trading as Creative United) is seeking a supplier for consumer credit services to deliver the Take it away Scheme, an interest-free loan programme commencing 1 November 2026 for an initial 18 months with the option to extend for up to two further 12-month periods (maximum 42 months total). The Scheme provides interest-free loans of £100 to £25,000 to help people buy musical instruments, equipment, software and associated goods or services (such as tuition), and aims to support creative livelihoods across the UK via partnerships with approved musical instrument retailers and other music-sector organisations. The Scheme is open to qualifying UK residents over 18 (subject to status) and will be delivered through a network of approved retailers in England, with a variation available exclusively to Northern Ireland residents via a partnership with the Arts Council of Northern Ireland; the awarded contract will cover provision in England and Northern Ireland and may potentially be expanded to Wales and/or Scotland subject to agreement and funding by their arts councils (not guaranteed). Under current Arts Council England funding priorities, the Scheme targets customers earning below the median UK wage of £34,000, those living in areas of low arts participation (per DCMS and ONS), first-time instrument purchasers, and customers who identify as disabled or purchasing on behalf of a disabled person. Interested suppliers must complete and return the Procurement Specific Questionnaire (PSQ) by 17 July 2026; all supporting documents including the Invitation to Tender are available to download from the notice.