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

CREATIVE SECTOR SERVICES C.I.C.

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

06 Jul 2026 at 16:49

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement opportunity involves Creative Sector Services CIC, trading as Creative United, inviting tenders for the role of the credit provider for the "Take it away" Scheme. This initiative is aimed at providing consumer credit services to support the purchase of musical instruments and associated goods, helping individuals across the UK, particularly in England and Northern Ireland. The contract is set to commence on 1 November 2026, running for an initial 18 months with potential extensions up to 42 months. Businesses interested must submit their Procurement Specific Questionnaire by 17 July 2026, with the tender period closing on 14 August 2026. The procurement falls within the financial and insurance services industry, using a competitive procedure with negotiation as the procurement method.

This tender represents a valuable opportunity for businesses specialising in financial and insurance services, particularly those experienced in credit provision. By engaging with the "Take it away" Scheme, the successful bidder can expand their portfolio by supporting a culturally enriching programme that promotes arts participation. It is particularly suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises capable of negotiating terms through the selective procurement method. The successful bidder will leverage relationships with a network of musical instrument retailers, contributing to the wider music sector and aligning with strategic priorities such as supporting customers with lower income or disabilities.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

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

Notice Description

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 PS100 and PS25,000 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 PS34,000 - 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.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-d7a9ea97-d876-429e-a169-e110844fde0b
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e60b6125-fdfe-4d8b-8737-3159b57fd1d7
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive procedure with negotiation (above threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

66 - Financial and insurance services

CPV Codes

66000000 - Financial and insurance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£157,500 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Jul 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
14 Aug 20265 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2026 - 30 Apr 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CREATIVE SECTOR SERVICES C.I.C.
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
WC2R 1LA
Post Town
Central London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England), TLN Northern Ireland
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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