Five months ago Symphony Music in Ashton was accepted to offer the Arts Council Take It Away scheme for the region.
Under this scheme, youngsters are offered interest-free loans for musical instruments between £100 and £2,000.

Now it has been confirmed in the UK's top three shortlist for the award of best Take-it-Away retailer in the country.
This nomination is an endorsement of the value, choice and customer focus that Symphony offers as well as recognition for the incredible hard work that has been invested in promoting the scheme.

As a result the small Ashton retailer will be appearing shoulder to shoulder at the MIA award ceremony in London's Park Lane hotel on October 14 with competitor businesses worth many, many millions.

Managing director of the Gerard Street store, David Bamford, said: "It is like David and Goliath.
"This is a real boost to us and illustrates clearly that customer service is a great equaliser between large and small competitors. Other winners of awards have been big names such as Yamaha, Roland and Digital Village.

"More and more youngsters are being introduced to musical instruments from an early age at the moment which is tremendously good news.
"Some independent retailers have struggled in the face of the Internet trade in instruments but I feel there is always a place for us because if you are serious about buying an instrument you need to be able to try it and handle it before you buy."

Symphony Music offers dealership ranges from manufacturers such as Line6, Ovation, Fender, Trevor James Woodwind, Yamaha, Roland, Boss, Aria, Hagstrom, Martin, First Act, Sound City and Stentor as well as extensive sheet music, tuition and a recording studio.

Take-it-Away is a Government-funded initiative to encourage all people to participate in music-making. The loans are available for any musical instrument and accessories can be added to the loan.