0116 Leicester Numbers

Why an 0116 number helps your business

Leicester has a long history in textiles, hosiery and footwear, and many of today's businesses grew from that base: clothing firms, food producers, wholesalers and distributors. The city is known for its diverse communities and its many family-run shops, restaurants and services. Its central position and road links also make it a natural base for warehousing and distribution.

Customers in Leicester and Leicestershire often prefer to deal with local firms they feel they can trust. An 0116 number helps you look like one of them, which makes people more likely to call. You do not need to be based in Leicester for this. Calls go to whatever phone you already use, wherever you are.

About the 0116 area code

0116 covers Leicester and the towns and villages around it, such as Oadby, Wigston, Blaby, Birstall, Enderby, Glen Parva, Kirby Muxloe and Syston. Loughborough, Hinckley and Market Harborough are also in Leicestershire but have their own codes. Leicester numbers are written 0116 xxx xxxx, with seven digits after the code.

The city's code was 0533 until PhONEday in April 1995, when Leicester became one of five cities to receive a new code. Callers outside the UK dial +44 116 and then the seven digits.

Who uses Leicester numbers

Wholesalers and distributors

Trade suppliers that serve shops and businesses across the Midlands can give buyers an 0116 number to call. Orders can go straight to the sales desk, wherever it is.

Food and catering businesses

Caterers and event food suppliers take a lot of their orders by phone. A Leicester number can ring a mobile at busy times and switch to voicemail, sent by email, when the kitchen is closed.

Firms based elsewhere in Leicestershire

A business in Loughborough, Hinckley or Market Harborough that wins work in the city can add an 0116 number, so Leicester customers see a local code while calls reach the existing office.

How your 0116 number works

Your 0116 number can divert to any UK landline or mobile, or to Alphatalk's cloud phone system. Update the destination whenever you need to in myAlphaTalk, our customer portal. Time-of-day routing sends calls to the right place at the right time, such as the office by day and a mobile in the evening. Voicemail messages are emailed to you, and call statistics show how your number is performing. Every number costs £4.99 a month and includes 1,000 free UK minutes. Standard numbers have no setup fee, and Silver and Gold numbers carry a one-off charge.