A business technology and communications specialist – where a third of its current staff weren’t even born when it began trading – is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month.

Poole-based Grapevine was started by Peter Boby, now Chairman, alongside Brian Vockins.

It now employs 25 people and has an annual turnover of £3 million.

The business began life as a chain of mobile phone shops across the south and south west.

Locals may remember its stores in Poole, Bournemouth, Dorchester and Weymouth branded ‘Vodafone Centre’ in the 1990’s.

They went on to become ‘The Word’ later that decade.

Grapevine exited the high street in favour of a business-to-business focus in the early 2000’s, first relocating to Winfrith Technology Centre and then to its current home in Nuffield Road, Poole, in 2004.

Since then, the company’s portfolio of solutions has expanded significantly, repositioning Grapevine as a full service, business technology and communications provider, incorporating managed IT support, fixed line telecoms and connectivity.

Many of Grapevine’s clients have been with the company for more than ten years with some dating back to the early days of the retail stores.

Peter, pictured right, said: “It is a wonderful achievement to celebrate our 30th anniversary.

“So much has changed during these three decades.

“A third of our current staff were not even born when we started back in 1991, yet we also have a third of our staff who have been with us for over 10 years.

“A huge thank you to all of our loyal staff and also to our clients, many of which have been with us on our journey for several years.

“Here’s to the next 30!”

James Spinks, Managing Director, joined the company in November 1996 as a Sales Executive in Grapevine’s Poole High Street branch.

He celebrates 25 years with the business this month.

James, pictured left, said: “Grapevine has provided us all with opportunities, the chance to strive to do things bigger and better, being given more responsibility, to be able to have a material and measurable effect on the growth of our business.

“As Managing Director now, one of my most important roles is to pass this empowerment down the line to help our ever-growing team of staff to be the best they can be too.”

Grapevine plans to continue its celebrations into 2022 with its ’30 days for 30 years’ project that will see the company dedicate a month of staff time to charity and worthwhile causes.

All colleagues will be given an extra day of annual leave to spend working with an organisation of their choice.

In addition, Grapevine has recently launched its Community Programme, partnering with grassroots sports clubs on income generating opportunities.

As part of the programme, for any new business referred to Grapevine via the participating clubs, Grapevine will make a donation to the club based on the number of licences/users for a range of their technology and communications services.