Shop workers gathered to say goodbye to former colleagues who have left a Black Country department store after its popular waitress service was scrapped.

The women, some of whom have been made redundant due to Beatties’ restaurant in Wolverhampton becoming self-service, told the Express & Star that they had been brought presents by loyal customers at the store.

And they were and overwhelmed by the number of cards and well wishes.

Staff were at The Litten Tree, in Wolverhampton, to raise a glass to Lynsey Moore, Annaliese Gard and Dawn Ellis, who were all made redundant after 13 years’ combined experience.

House of Fraser, which took over Beatties in 2005, is investing £250,000 in revamping the store’s eating places. The restaurant is now known as Cafe Zest.

Miss Gard, from Wall Heath, in Kingswinford, joined seven years ago and said her last day was sad.

The 28-year-old’s mother Catherine worked as a cook in the Beatties staff dining room while grandmother Mary was a cook in the main restaurant, she said.

“We had so many well wishes from the customers and some had even bought us presents, little things like boxes of chocolates and good luck cards,” she added.

Miss Gard is now going to college to study child care.

“The customers used to tell me how they were bought to Beatties as children and now they’re bringing their sons and daughters and grandchildren. They are upset – they don’t want the service to go,” she said.

Lynsey Moore, aged 26, from Oxley, Wolverhampton, said that she had made some wonderful friends during her four years.

She said: “The people I’m leaving behind are like family and the customers are so friendly.”

Other waitresses were moving to different parts of the store, she added.