A takeaway pizza place will now be able to sell and and deliver alcohol after promising to address police concerns about the treatment of its delivery drivers.

The three-month-old Firezza, in Prize Walk, East Village, was awarded a premises licence to sell wine and beer with meals last Wednesday, but not before serious doubts were expressed about the safety of the restaurant’s staff.

In an objection considered by Newham Council’s licensing committee, PC Darren Bull said the borough’s drivers have often been victims of robbery and assault, adding: “My concern is that the added lure of alcohol being delivered could make the delivery team a target for the individuals who commit the crimes [...] the driver may well be assaulted for his trouble.”

The eatery – a small eight-seater which employs 15 staff – is one of 17 in the pizza chain and its focus will remain on food, insisted manager Janos Sandor Horuath.

“This is a food delivery company and we won’t serve much alcohol – around five to ten bottles of a wine a week,” estimated Janos.

“To ensure our staff’s safety, customers must pay by card rather than cash if they are purchasing alcohol,” he added.

The measure is hoped to discourage theft and assault by customers as they are delivered food and alcohol. Working with Metropolitan Police, the branch will also install CCTV on the premises, train staff and implement the Challenge 25 policy to discourage underage alcohol sales.