WHEN work gets stressful what better way to wind down than in a hammock in a tranquil haven just a stone’s throw from your desk.

And that is exactly what happens at SIS Insurance.

Nestled behind the specialist insurance broker’s office on Washway Road is the ultimate ‘chill-out’ zone for employees.

Owner Dave Child wanted to give his workers a place to enjoy lunch and grab a moment for themselves so converted the former post office’s sorting room into a greenhouse.

After buying the property, Dave discovered that it had once been home to successful fern nurseries, W and J Birkenhead, which grew and exported ferns to all corners of the British Empire during Queen Victoria’s reign.

Wanting to retain this historical link, the green-fingered enthusiast sourced ferns that would have been cultivated in the backyard of the shop in the 1800s and planted them in the old sorting office, along with fragrant flowers and ivy.

Dave and other employees pitch in with tending to the plants and the retreat seems miles – not metres – away from the bustling A56.

And it is proving to be an attractive home for our feathery friends. A pair of grey wagtails recently nested at the bottom of one of the ferns and the tweets of hatchlings could soon be heard around the office.

Upon this discovery, Dave plated up some maggots and left them within easy reach of the birds – and hopes the family will flock back to the office to nest next year.

And did we mention there is an employee gym upstairs too?

Know a contender for the best workplace in Trafford? Email cara.cunningham@nqnw.co.uk.