Business leaders and education bosses have come out in force to support Medway’s bid for city status.

Both the Thames Gateway Chamber of Commerce and the University of the Creative Arts (UCA) back the aspiration to transform Medway’s five Towns into one city.

Their support comes after the Medway Messenger last week pledged its full support for the campaign to secure the title in 2012.

We believe it will unite Medway and have a positive effect on everyone who lives, works and visits the area.

Kamal Aggarwal, chairman of Thames Gateway Chamber of Commerce which represents more than 400 businesses, said he wholeheartedly supports the ambition.

He said: “We are very supportive indeed. It would be very good for Medway, but would also benefit the whole of north Kent.

“The City of Medway would go a long way to attract inward investment and provide a clear sense of identity for the towns.”

Meanwhile, UCA – which has a campus in Fort Pitt, Rochester – has thrown its weight behind the bid.

Vice Chancellor Professor Elaine Thomas, pictured right, said: “We are proud to back Medway’s campaign for city status. We will enthusiastically support the campaign until city status is granted in 2012.

“Gaining the title would be a huge boost for the city as a whole, including UCA. The long list of benefits would begin with more jobs for graduates and better amenities for students, all of which will attract more people to the university.”

The government has not yet called for anyone to bid for city status, but this is expected in the months before the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

The winner would be the 51st place to be named a city in England. These are two numerals that are significant to Medway’s claim to be five Towns within one city.

Medway – the largest conurbation in the South East with more than 250,000 residents – has bid twice before to become a city.

It failed to secure the status in 2000 when it pitched to be one of the Millennium cities as well as in 2002 when it sought to be the Golden Jubilee city.

Its competitors this time are likely to include Bolton, Croydon, Ipswich, Luton, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Perth, Reading, Swindon and Wrexham.

What do you think of Medway’s bid for city status? Whatever your views, we want to hear from you. Email medwaycitystatus@thekmgroup.co.uk Alternatively, write to Medway Messenger newsdesk, Medway House, Sir Thomas Longley Road, Medway City Estate, Strood, ME2 4DU.