Atmospheric lighting will illuminate Bradford’s iconic Wool Exchange building on Friday for the first time in its history.

The clock tower will be lit from the inside while strips of LED lights will be fitted discreetly along the parapets and archways to highlight the detail of the masonry.

The £30,000 project to light up the Grade I listed building and show off its 19th century Venetian Gothic inspired architecture was worked on by Bradford Council and property consultants GVA Grimley on behalf of the building’s owner Eric Wright Group and English Heritage.

Bradford Council’s executive member for environment and culture Councillor Anne Hawkesworth said: “The Wool Exchange is one of Bradford’s most spectacular pieces of architecture, built to symbolise the wealth and importance wool brought to the city.

“The lighting will illuminate some of the Wool Exchange’s most striking features such as the clock tower, the archways and the stone detail, which will become a fantastic addition to Bradford’s skyline that can now be enjoyed during the day and at night.”

The Wool Exchange was designed by Bradford architects Lockwood and Mawson. A foundation stone was laid by then Prime Minister Lord Palmerston before it was completed in 1867.