A young man who was paralysed as a teenager has defied the odds and is now living his dream with his family by his side.
Aaron Yates spent six months in hospital after being diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis - an inflammation of both sides of the spinal cord. But despite being told he may never walk again, the "turning point" made him appreciate the "smaller things" and he is now living out his lifelong dream.
The Yates family has always dreamed of opening their own hospitality venue, but their wishes came true after they opened the Yada Prescot bar and Grill on August 19. Situated on Eccleston Street, the business has already grown in popularity in just three weeks.
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The 23-year-old, along with his mum Sue, dad Jeff, auntie Jill, uncle John, cousins Louise and Rachel and siblings Luca, James, Feria and Brian have all dedicated the last 12 months to opening their dream family venue, while also working full time jobs.
He told the ECHO: "The unit became available and we as a family sat down and said we would give it a go so well all chipped in to get the work done. We all work full time jobs and after work we would all come and get this done, it was an ordeal but worth it.
"It's always been our dream to open a venue in hospitality. We like food and drink and entertainment and it was something we always wanted to do so with the theatre opening in Prescot and being local ourselves, we thought now is the time.
"We wanted to create somewhere reasonably priced and accessible for all. We have tea together every night and cooking is a massive part of our family lives so for as long as I remember it's always been our dream."
Aaron, who also works as a lorry driver, said he and his family are still working their jobs during the day and going straight to the restaurant of an evening. He added: "We are going from one job to another so it's full on but it's been absolutely amazing.
"I can't put into words, it's made the last few months of work worthwhile. We've had people coming everyday to try and get in because it's so busy. One couple tried four days straight they kept coming every day to try and get in to eat."
Aaron, who has overcome many personal challenges, when he was told he would never walk again, said the last few months has been incredible watching his lifelong dream come true. He told the ECHO: "I couldn't be happier, it's boss, just brilliant.
"I was paralysed with a spinal disorder and had to learn to walk again but it was a turning point for me. It made me realise that if I want to do something then just do it, it made me appreciate the smaller things and look at things differently."
However, with the cost of living crisis on the rise, the family are "concerned" about the months ahead, like many other businesses.
Aaron said: "As a whole, the community is concerned, whether residential or commercial. We couldn't have chosen a worse time to open but that means we have to be more clever about how we do things and have hope. We aren't defeated easily.
"The hardest factor for us is learning as we go and hoping it doesn't show too much as we learn on the job. But I'd say to people just do it, take a leap of faith, you only live once and life is too short not to follow your dreams."
In just three weeks, the restaurant has gone from strength the strength as the positive reviews keep pouring in. With the community support behind them, Aaron said: "Thank you so much, it means the world to us and puts a smile on our face.
"It encourages to continue doing what we are doing and it's why we wanted to do it in the first place. It's not just a business, it's about giving back to the community and we'd like to thank everyone for their support."
More information can be found on the Facebook Page here or Instagram here.
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