Company owned by former Rochdale mayor in liquidation owing creditors more than £700,000

Councillor Aasim Rashid

A company owned by a former mayor of Rochdale has entered liquidation owing more than £700,000, it has been revealed.

Councillor Aasim Rashid is the sole director of Rashids (PVT) Ltd which operated as Bedding Place, selling bedroom accessories online.

The firm also previously owned newsagents shops in Leigh and Walkden and ran a Subway franchise in Burnage, Manchester.

“According to documents filed by Companies House and notices published by The Gazette, Sale-based KBL Advisory was appointed to oversee the liquidation after the business racked up an estimated total deficiency of £701,372.”

A document filed with Companies House shows its largest creditor was Funding Circle, which was owed £245,644. A Rochdale import company was owed £125,343.74. Other creditors included HSBC, Hermes and Royal Mail.

Councillor Rashid is a Labour member for Castleton on Rochdale council and recently served as the borough’s mayor, holding the office during the 2021-22 municipal year.

Before entering liquidation, Rashids (PVT) Ltd operated out of MK Business Park in Rochdale.

Asked whether the matter affected his suitability and fitness to continue as an elected member, Councillor Rashid told the Local Democracy Reporting Service it did ‘not have any relevance’ to his council business or holding a public office.

He said: “This is a company matter that has nothing to do with my ability or integrity as a councillor.

“In whatever position I have served the public, I have done so with honesty and dedication. In my position as a councillor, I have always followed the Code of Conduct in representing Castleton ward and Rochdale Borough Council.”

The LDRS also asked Rochdale council whether the situation affected Councillor Rashid’s position. However, the authority declined to comment on what it said were private matters not related to council business.

KBL Advisory also declined to comment when approached.

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporter and Jon Robinson