As London continues to thrive as the nation's hub for business and culture, having a reliable local presence is crucial.
Establishing a recognisable local presence means more than just your business's physical location. It's also about how your business is perceived when communicating with customers. This is essential for tapping into the vibrant London business community.
We offer competitively priced 020 London virtual phone numbers using our Numbers4u platform, so you can achieve a locally recognised presence without breaking the bank.
Our comprehensive range of call-handling services can be tailored to suit your business's specific needs. Plus, we provide a free local 020 number for anyone who signs up.
What Are The Benefits of a Local London Phone Number?
A London phone number is more than just a contact point—it's a gateway to building trust with your customers. Businesses in London thrive on community connections, and an 020 number shows that your business is established in the capital.
Ready to establish your local presence in London?
Contact us to find out how you can get your 020 local phone number.
Increase Trust and Credibility - A local number can give potential customers the confidence that they are dealing with a local business. This familiarity is particularly important for service-based companies.
Gain Real-Time Insights - We'll provide you with access to real-time call data, including ring times, call durations, and call peaks. This data helps you understand customer behaviour and optimise your call handling processes.
Enjoy Flexible Call Handling - Easily manage multiple numbers under a single service, all for single setup and monthly fee. You’ll also enjoy the flexibility to route calls to up to four different numbers, ensuring every call reaches the right destination.
About the 020 Area Code
The 020 area code covers Central London, the City of Westminster, and all other London boroughs.
The 020 area code is followed by an 8-digit local number, and depending on the specific part of London, the first digit after 020 can vary:
020 3 – These are generally featured on newer numbers across London.
020 7 – These numbers originally covered Central London. They include Westminster, home to iconic landmarks like the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. Soho, known for its vibrant nightlife, theatres, and restaurants. Mayfair, an affluent area with luxury shops and hotels. Covent Garden, famous for its market, theatres, and street performers. City of London, the historic financial district
020 8 – These numbers originally covered Outer London. Popular areas include Brixton, Clapham, Croydon, Docklands (Canary Wharf), Ealing, Enfield, Fulham, Greenwich, Hammersmith, Kingston upon Thames, Richmond, Stratford, and Wimbledon.
Contact us to find out how you can get your 020 local phone number.
London's Business Landscape
London stands as one of the world's leading cities, renowned for its global influence in finance, technology, and creative industries. As a hub of innovation and commerce, the capital attracts businesses from start-ups in Shoreditch to well-established firms in the City.
With world-class transport links, a highly skilled workforce, and a diverse community, London provides the ideal environment for businesses to grow and succeed.
London Facts and Figures
- Dialling Code: 020
- Postal Code: E1 - W14, SW1 - SW20, N1 - N22, W1 - W14, etc.
- Population: Approximately 9 million residents
- SMEs: Over 1.1 million
- Key Industries: Financial Services, Technology, Media & Creative Industries, Professional Services, Tourism
Office for National Statistics (ONS)
London is the capital of the UK and one of the world's leading financial and cultural centres. It remains the economic powerhouse of the UK, contributing £503 billion to the national economy. The city is a global leader in many sectors, with strengths in finance, technology, creative industries, and tourism. It continues to attract international investment, has a highly skilled workforce, and is undergoing significant infrastructure improvements. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) provides a wide range of business data for the city.
Here are some key highlights with specific figures:
Number of Businesses
London is home to around 1.1 million active businesses, the highest concentration in the UK. These businesses span sectors like finance, technology, creative industries, tourism, and professional services.
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
London has a robust ecosystem of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which account for 99% of all businesses in the city. These SMEs are prevalent in technology, retail, and hospitality.
Financial Services
London remains one of the world's premier financial hubs, with key institutions like the London Stock Exchange, Bank of England, and Lloyd's of London located in the city. The financial services sector in London contributes around £132 billion to the UK economy.
Technology and Fintech
London has a thriving technology sector, particularly in fintech (financial technology). The city is home to around 46,000 tech companies and contributes over £56 billion to the UK's digital economy. London's fintech sector alone is valued at around £11 billion and includes leading firms like Revolut, Wise, and Monzo.
Creative Services
London's creative industries, which encompass advertising, media, film, and fashion, contribute £58 billion to the UK economy. The city is a global leader in these fields, with areas like Soho and Shoreditch being key creative hubs.
Tourism and Hospitality
London is one of the most visited cities globally, with over 20 million international visitors annually (pre-pandemic). The tourism sector in London generates approximately £15 billion in direct economic impact, supporting a wide range of businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and cultural institutions.
Retail
London's retail sector is one of the largest in Europe, with major shopping districts like Oxford Street and Covent Garden. Retail in London contributes £32 billion to the economy, driven by local consumers and international visitors.
Workforce Size
London's workforce is around 5.9 million people, making it the largest employment centre in the UK. The labour force is diverse and highly skilled, with a large proportion working in high-value sectors such as finance, technology, and professional services.
Employment Rate
The employment rate in London is around 75%, which is close to the national average. However, some boroughs experience higher unemployment rates, particularly in less affluent areas.
Unemployment Rate
The unemployment rate in London has fluctuated, particularly post-pandemic, but currently stands at around 4.5-5%. Economic recovery and the growth of tech and professional services have helped decrease unemployment.
Economic Output
London's Gross Value Added (GVA) is significant, with the city contributing around £503 billion annually to the UK economy. This represents around 22% of the UK's GVA, making London the most significant regional economy.
GVA Per Head
The GVA per head in London is approximately £56,000, significantly higher than the national average. This reflects London's workforce's high productivity and economic output, particularly in sectors like finance, legal services, and technology.
Start-up Survival
London has a relatively strong business survival rate, with around 50-55% of businesses surviving beyond three years. The city's start-up ecosystem is bolstered by access to capital, talent, and networks, particularly in tech, fintech, and creative industries.
Population
London has a population of approximately 9 million people, making it the largest city in the UK. The population is diverse and growing, with significant international migration contributing to the workforce.
Skills and Education
London's workforce is highly educated, with over 50% of the population holding a degree or higher qualification. The city's universities, including University College London (UCL), London School of Economics (LSE), and Imperial College London, attract students from around the world and supply a highly skilled labour force.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
London is a magnet for foreign direct investment. In 2021, the city attracted over £40 billion in FDI, with significant investment in technology, real estate, and financial services. Investors from North America, Asia, and the Middle East play a substantial role in the city's economy.
Real Estate and Infrastructure
London's real estate market is one of the most valuable in the world, particularly in areas like Mayfair, Kensington, and the City of London. The city is also undergoing major infrastructure investments, such as Crossrail (Elizabeth Line), which has significantly improved connectivity across London and beyond.
Transport Hub
London is one of the most connected cities globally, with multiple airports (Heathrow, Gatwick, London City), extensive rail links (including high-speed trains to Europe via Eurostar), and a vast underground network. Heathrow Airport handles over 80 million passengers annually, making it one of the world's busiest airports.
Public Transport Usage
London's public transport system, including the London Underground, buses, and the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), supports millions of commuters every day. The transport network is a crucial enabler of London's economic activity.
Tourism Impact
London is a leading global tourist destination, with attractions like the British Museum, Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace drawing millions of visitors. In 2019, tourism accounted for around £15 billion in economic output, with a large portion of this revenue coming from international visitors.
Cultural and Sporting Events
Major events, such as Wimbledon, London Fashion Week, and concerts at The O2 Arena, further boost London's economy, particularly in the hospitality and retail sectors.
Green Economy
London is making significant strides in developing a green economy, with investments in renewable energy, sustainable transport, and green finance. The city aims to be carbon-neutral by 2030, and the growth of the green economy is expected to create thousands of new jobs.
Post-Brexit Challenges
While London remains a leading global financial centre, Brexit has led to some challenges, particularly in the relocation of certain financial operations to other European cities. However, London continues to adapt, with growing sectors like fintech and professional services helping mitigate some of the impacts.
Affordable Housing and Inequality
London faces challenges related to affordable housing, cost of living, and inequality. While the city is wealthy overall, certain boroughs and communities experience higher levels of deprivation, which poses a long-term challenge to inclusive growth.
24/7 Telephone Answering Services for London
London's business community is vibrant and growing. Answer4u is here to ensure that your business is always accessible, no matter the time of day. Our 24/7 services are designed to meet the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the capital.
Virtual Receptionist Service
- Only £1.45p per call answered
- Your calls answered by professionals
- Immediate message notifications
- Cost saving call bundles available
- 30 day FREE Trial
- 020 number provided if needed
Flexi Virtual Assistant Service
- Completely customised call handling
- Tailored to your business requirements
- Mirrors exact process of in-house staff
- Optional call forwarding capability
- 30 day FREE Trial
- 020 number provided if needed
Virtual PA Diary Management Service
- Your diary managed professionally
- Preferred diary management integration
- Relevant information captured accurately
- Your own dedicated account manager
- Bespoke scripting process
- Unlimited call types & questions
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Frequently Asked Questions
A virtual phone number is a telephone number that isn’t directly tied to a physical phone line. It can be used to route calls to any device, such as a mobile phone, landline, or computer.
This flexibility allows businesses to manage their calls from anywhere, making it easier to stay connected with customers, regardless of location. You can also use virtual numbers with local area codes to establish a business presence in different regions.
The 020 phone code covers Central London and most of its outer boroughs. This includes the city of London itself, as well as key locations such as Westminster, Soho, Mayfair, Covent Garden, City of London, Kensington, Chelsea, Notting Hill, Hammersmith, Fulham, Camden, Islington, Hampstead, Muswell Hill, Shoreditch, Hackney, Stratford, Canary Wharf (Docklands), Brixton, Clapham, Greenwich, Wimbledon, Battersea and Richmond, Chelsea.
Absolutely. Many businesses choose an 020 number to tap into the thriving London market, even if they’re based elsewhere. This strategy is particularly effective if you’re expanding into the area or if you want to appear local to customers across London.
Our Numbers4u portal makes it easy to manage your calls from anywhere, while still giving the impression that you’re based in London.
Using a local phone number, such as an 020 London number, offers several benefits for businesses. It helps establish trust and credibility with local customers, who are more likely to engage with a business they perceive as local. A local number can also increase call response rates, as people are more inclined to answer calls from familiar area codes.
You can get your dedicated 020 London phone number as soon as you sign up to one of our services. We make the process seamless so you can start using your new number in your marketing materials right away.
In addition, any number we provide that is not attached to an Answer4u service and through our Numbers4u platform is usually available for your business to use on the same working day.
Answer4u supports London businesses during busy periods by providing dependable call-handling services, perfect for managing the surge in activity around key events and peak tourism seasons. Whether your business is facing increased demand during major events like Wimbledon, the Notting Hill Carnival, or the London Marathon, our 24/7 service ensures your calls are always answered.
We act as an extension of your team, handling customer enquiries professionally and efficiently, so you never miss an opportunity. With a London-based virtual receptionist, you can maintain your local presence with a trusted 020 number, allowing your staff to focus on delivering exceptional service during these bustling times.
Yes, the London prefix 020 can be viewed as a landline number. It is the area code for Central London, the City of Westminster and all other London boroughs and is typically associated with a physical address in the region.
However, 020 can also be used to prefix a virtual number that can be rerouted to a landline, mobile, or VoIP number of your choice. Using a 020 virtual number for your business enables you to give the appearance of a local presence.
Yes, a local phone number is crucial for financial businesses, especially in a city like London, which is a global financial hub. Using a local 020 number enhances your business's credibility and trustworthiness, key factors in the financial sector.
Clients are more likely to trust and engage with a firm that has a recognisable local presence, as it signals stability and a commitment to the London market.
Contact Us Today
Whether you need a full-time telephone answering service or support during peak times, Answer4u is here to help. Contact us today on 0800 822 3344 to learn more about our telephone answering services in London or to arrange a free consultation.
Virtual Telephone Numbers
With our virtual telephone numbers, you can connect with customers across the country. Choose a dedicated local number from any of the cities listed below, or request a number in another UK location to suit your business needs.