Belles Receptionists

Belles Receptionists runs a live telephone answering service that operates every hour of the year. Real people pick up calls in the client's company name, giving customers a personal reply even when the office is shut.

What Belles Receptionists does

• Live call answering: receptionists take calls after hours, at weekends and on holidays.
• Call handling: answering questions, dealing with emergencies and dispatching service staff on a client's instructions.
• Message delivery: detailed messages sent on by email, text or fax.
• Follow-up: calls needing action are resolved, and on-call staff are alerted for urgent matters.
• Simple set-up: clients sign up online or by phone, receive a forwarding number and supply their instructions.

Who it works with

The service is aimed at businesses, entrepreneurs and owners of many kinds. Its industry list includes boiler and heating repair firms, which often need out-of-hours cover.

Key facts

• Operating since: 1956
• Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Payment model: Monthly, without contracts