Former call centre workers set up new telephone business

Date: 20/07/2011

New non-geographic numbers may have been required by two women who set up their own telecoms enterprise.

Rachel Barnes and Sharon Atkinson previously worked for Garlands call centre in the north-west.

However, when they lost their jobs last year they decided to take action and establish their own company called Call Agents UK - a call answering service.

The pair had no experience in setting up an enterprise and received funding, as well as training and guidance, from Business Link.

Ms Barnes explained that because many firms have been badly affected by the economic downturn, they do not have the funds to pay for a full-time receptionist.

The duo's venture means "you never miss a call and never lose out on the chance to do business", she added.

They now employ six people and the enterprise has been running for about a year.

Call Agents UK is not the only telephone company to be establishing itself in the UK at present, as The Listening Company has just been awarded a new contract to provide communications services for West Sussex County Council.