ONE of the top ten best places to work in the UK is based right here in Cirencester - in the firm that has a gym and a TV room, while the boss hands out generous bonuses and even whisks his staff away on a mystery holiday each year.

Money.co.uk, the fifth largest money comparison site in the UK, is based right in the heart of Cirencester and was named the seventh best small place to work in the nation by organisation by Great Place to Work®.

The good news was announced at a gala dinner on May 13. Organisations named on the Best Workplace list see many benefits, including better financial performance, lower employee turnover, higher levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, more innovative and creative thinking, higher productivity and enhanced public perception.

Staff at Money.co.uk were asked to fill out an anonymous survey, answering questions about their place of work. The local firm scored highly in every category.

Set up nine years ago by CEO Chris Morling, the Cecily Hill firm prides itself on looking after its staff.

"The success of the business has been built on the the foundation of a fantastic team," said Chris. "We have to get three things right to have a happy workforce. One is we need to make sure work is enjoyable and challenging. People need to progress.

"We also need a pleasant work environment. There is no politics or back stabbing here. Everyone gets on with everyone and everyone just focusses on the job in hand. I never want a blame culture in the business.

"And three, rewarding a great work force," he added. "Last year everyone received bonuses which were 45 per cent of their annual salaries. And we take staff on mystery holidays too."

This year Chris is treating staff to a long weekend at a five star hotel in Dubrovnik, Croatia. He said that the annual holidays, as well as regular social events outside of work, meant that his employees can mingle and meet one another properly.

The firm is also expanding rapidly, with five jobs currently on offer. In the last 18 months the number of employees at the Cirencester company has doubled.

Visit money.co.uk for more.