UKEvery call answered by a real person, from 6am to 9pm, seven days a week.
Friendly, experienced receptionists answer in your business name, take messages, book appointments and put callers through to you. No bots, no call-centre scripts.
Most callers who reach voicemail don't try again.
When nobody picks up, the caller rings the next business on the list. A real person on the line keeps that call, and that customer, with you.
of first-time calls to UK small businesses go unanswered.
of those callers never call back.
a year to employ one full-time receptionist on the UK minimum wage, before holiday and sick cover.
Sources: Aimpro UK SME call-handling research, 2025. Receptionist cost based on the April 2026 National Living Wage of £12.71 an hour, 37.5 hours a week, plus employer National Insurance and pension.
Your front desk, without the hire.
Answer in your name
Every call is answered with your greeting, by a receptionist who knows your business and how you like callers treated.
Put calls through
We transfer callers to you or your team when you're available, and take a message when you're not.
Detailed messages
Name, number, what they need and what happens next, sent to you by email as soon as the call ends.
Book appointments
We book callers straight into your diary, with your calendar kept in sync.
Qualify new enquiries
We ask your questions on every new enquiry, so you only call back the ones worth your time.
Confirmations and reminders
We confirm appointments and make payment reminder calls on your behalf.
Built for small teams whose phone is their shop window.
Law firms and solicitors
Clients reach a calm, professional voice while you're in court or with a client. Every enquiry is logged and passed on, and nothing sounds like a call centre.
Independent hotels and restaurants
Reservation and enquiry calls answered at peak times and after the front desk has gone home, so a busy service never costs you a booking.
Financial advisers and accountants
A discreet extension of your practice that clients can always reach, including during the January to April rush.
Clinics and practices
Patients get through first time. We book, move and confirm appointments so your team can focus on the people in front of them.
One simple price, in pounds.
100 minutes of live answering. That works out at 65p a minute.
- Real receptionists, 6am to 9pm UK time, seven days a week
- Billed by the second, never rounded up to the minute
- Answered in your business name
- Messages by email as soon as the call ends
- Call transfers and appointment booking
- Keep your own number, or use a UK number from us
Extra minutes are charged at 65p each. Billed by the second, never rounded up. Month to month, 30 days notice.
| Option | Per minute | 100 minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Real Receptionist | £0.65 | £65 |
| Typical UK answering service | £1.10 to £1.85 | £110 to £185 |
| In-house receptionist on minimum wage | n/a | £2,359 a month |
UK answering service rates from providers' published pricing, September 2026. Many also round every call up to the full minute. In-house cost is the monthly cost to the employer of one full-time receptionist aged 22 or over.
You'll know what you're paying for.
The most common complaint about UK answering services is a bill that looks nothing like the advertised price. Here's how we keep it simple.
One price in pounds
100 minutes for £65 a month. Extra minutes are 65p. We bill by the second, so you only pay for the time we actually spend on your calls.
A heads-up before you go over
We let you know when you're close to your 100 minutes, so an extra charge never comes as a surprise.
See every call
You get an itemised call log showing each call and how long it lasted.
No long contract
Month to month, with 30 days notice. You stay because it works.
Real people
Every call is answered by a person. No bots, no call-centre script.
Half the usual rate
65p a minute, against £1.10 to £1.85 a minute at most UK answering services.
A friendly team in Cape Town, on your side of the clock.
Our receptionists work from Cape Town, South Africa, just one or two hours ahead of the UK. They answer your calls during their normal working day, not on a night shift, so you get people who are awake, settled and good at the job.
Callers hear clear, warm English and someone who takes the time to help. We've been answering calls for small businesses for six years.
- Hours
- Mon to Fri, 6am to 9pm UK time
- Weekends
- Sat and Sun, 7am to 9pm UK time
- Time zone
- 1 hour ahead in summer, 2 in winter
- Experience
- Six years answering business calls
- Language
- English
Three simple steps.
Book a 15-minute call
Tell us about your business, your callers and how you'd like calls handled.
We set up your script
Your greeting, your questions, who gets transferred and where messages go.
Divert your calls
Forward your existing number to us, all day or only when you're busy, and we start answering.
Trusted by small businesses.
"Real Reception's telephone answering service has been a real time-saver."
"We are very happy with Real Reception's telephone answering service."
"Great service! A real timesaver and it adds a professional aspect to my business."
Good to know.
Can I keep my phone number?
Yes. You divert your existing number to us, all the time or only when you can't answer. If you'd rather have a new UK number, we can set one up for you.
Do I have to send you all my calls?
No. Many clients use us for overflow only: when the line is busy, after a few rings, or outside office hours.
What happens if I use more than 100 minutes?
For customers on the 100 minutes package, extra minutes are 65p each. During our initial onboarding we ensure that your monthly package is correct for the expected volume which may result in a lower per minute rate.
Will callers know you're not in my office?
We answer in your business name and follow your script. Callers hear a friendly, professional receptionist who knows how your business works.
Where is your team based?
In Cape Town, South Africa, one or two hours ahead of the UK depending on the time of year. Our receptionists cover UK hours during their normal working day.
Let's see if we're a good fit.
Leave your details and we'll arrange a short call at a time that suits you. No obligation, and no hard sell.
Prefer to talk now? Call +44 20 3807 4898
Or email [email protected]