Canary Wharf firms including Barclays, HSBC and Citigroup have backed the bid for Tower Hamlets to become a city.

Tower Hamlets is one of 25 towns and boroughs in the UK competing to be named the UK’s next city as part of Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations next year.

Today Barclays, J.P. Morgan, HSBC, Thomson Reuters, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, Clifford Chance and Credit Suisse added their voices to those supporting the bid for the borough to become a city.

Bill Mills, EMEA CEO at Citigroup, said: “As a long-time resident and large employer in Tower Hamlets, Citi is proud to support the borough’s bid for city status. Tower Hamlets is a thriving community that deserves to be recognised for its contribution to the UK’s economy and its cultural heritage.”

Daniel Pinto, EMEA CEO at J.P. Morgan, said: “Canary Wharf, the site of our new European headquarters, has become an area of economic growth with huge potential for the wider Tower Hamlets community. We look forward to supporting the borough, its local businesses and the community for years to come.”

Canary Wharf Group (CWG), which owns and manages Canary Wharf estate, has already backed the bid.

Howard Dawber from CWG said: “These companies employ hundreds of thousands of people in the UK and around the world.

“Tower Hamlets is the economic powerhouse for London and the UK.

“The area will have a hugely important role to play in driving economic growth and providing jobs in the next few years.

“Representatives of these companies will be working alongside the borough on the campaign for city status.

“They will help us to communicate the tremendous positive changes that have occurred in the East End in recent years.”

Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman said: “Canary Wharf is one of the most iconic places not just in Tower Hamlets, but in the world today.

“It’s an example of how the borough is the engine behind the UK’s economy and we work hard to make sure local people can take full advantage of the leisure and employment opportunities it offers.

“Today it is home to some of the biggest companies on the planet, and to have the support of such high profile organisations shows just how seriously people are taking our bid.

“We’re ready to be a city, and I am delighted that these organisations agree.”

Backing from Canary Wharf’s businesses comes after an event on Tuesday night organised by CWG and Tower Hamlets Council to drum up more support.

Residents, businesses and local groups attended the event at Toynbee Hall, which has also joined the list of organisations backing the bid.

Other supporters include Limehouse and Poplar MP Jim Fitzpatrick and footballer Ledley King, who grew up in Bow.