Sixteen staff members have been made redundant at Hanley's Debenhams store - despite the branch reopening later this month.
The retail giant will welcome back customers to its store inside the intu Potteries shopping centre on June 15 despite the company recently entering administration.
But is has now been confirmed there will be no longer be a restaurant, money exchange or personal shopping service.
The changes mean 11 employees in the cafe and a further five people have now lost their jobs.
One worker, who wished to remain anonymous, says herself and her colleagues were informed of the devastating news over a conference call last week.
She has been given no option of transferring to a different department.
The 44-year-old, who worked there for more than 15 years, said: "We all got a text saying we were going to be having a meeting over a video call last week.
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"The next day during the video call they told us they were going into administration and would be closing the restaurant. We had been given no warning about it until the day before.
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"I've been there for more than 15 years. I've really missed the job while on furlough and it's a bit of a shock that I'm now redundant.
"I'm going to struggle to be able to find another job due to the current situation. It was a really big shock for everybody that works in the restuarant.
"There are 11 of us who have been made redundant from the restaurant and another five have lost their jobs in money exchange and personal shopping.
"It was a shock to the system and it's hard to get your head around as the restaurant did a lot of business. I really miss the restaurant and the staff.
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"I wish they could have transferred us to another department like the shop floor, but we weren't given that option. I feel like they could have at least told us in person, at a distance, especially after 15 years of service.
"I'm someone who has always worked and it's hard. I've got a mortgage and bills to pay and it is a worry. Now I'm going to have to sign on for Universal Credit, it's turned my life upside down. It's upsetting."
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A Debenhams spokesman said: "Debenhams’ preparations to reopen the vast majority of its stores from June 15 are well under way following the successful conclusion of lease negotiations on 120 stores.
"In the context of a retail industry undergoing profound change, the management team is working on the future shape of the group, with a view to seeking an exit from administration as a going concern.
"With a leaner and more flexible operating model, Debenhams will have the ability to adapt to what are likely to be fundamental shifts in the future trading environment."