TWO Worcester brothers are celebrating after winning a county business award.

Josh and Joe Birbeck, who set up Urban Village Pizza, have been crowned winners of the SJL National Start-up Business Awards, set up by city firm SJL Insurance.

Urban Village Pizza allows for delivery or collection in areas which aren't in a delivery catchment area.

The two were chosen for the SJL award, which sees them receive a £2,000 start-up business grant, one year’s mentorship and a PR campaign.

Josh Birbeck, said: "As a start-up business an injection of cash will help us to expand into festivals in 2022, along with employing a new full-time member of staff.

"We have been kneading the dough by hand so a grant would mean we can purchase a new mixer for the fresh dough."

The pair met with SJL founder Simon Lancaster and Worcester MP Robin Walker in Westminster, where they received their award.

Mr Lancaster said: "Joe and Josh remind me of myself when I was starting out as they both work 18 hours a day, seven days a week.

"It is that sort of hard work that is needed, especially in the first few years, to ensure a business has the best chance at becoming profitable and sustainable.

"The SJL Foundation’s ethos is to support start-up business entrepreneurs and encourage others to pay it forward so that we build a community of building people up who take risks to set up their own business."

"If I had not got a council grant 20 years ago, I wouldn’t be where I am today, so I ask Joe and Josh to give back by paying it forward too.

Robin Walker added: "These awards are a fantastic opportunity provided by the SJL Foundation to recognise innovative and ambitious entrepreneurs who been through a tough couple of years but have done so fighting.

"I was particularly pleased to see Urban Village Pizza win.

"They are going from strength to strength and even expanding which is great to see."

The SJL Foundation has been raising funds since 2019. 50 per cent of proceeds go to the SJL Foundation Start-Up business fund, 50 per cent goes to Acorn’s children’s hospices.