The Chichester Boys' Club, in Little London, plans to redevelop its building internally and build an extension.

Also part of the plan is to build a shop front on to Little London, which will help fund the club in the long term.

The name of the club may also change once the work is complete to dispel the myth the club is only for boys, which is not the case.

Planning permission was granted for the project in March 2007 but it has not started yet as funds are being finalised.

The club had applied for a grant from the Big Lottery Fund in spring 2007 but failed in its bid.

So far, the club has raised £50,000, and has been promised grants from two local Rotary trusts totalling £100,000 over three years.

The outstanding balance needed is £250,000.

Youth co-ordinator Hilary Hughes said: "At the moment we can have only one community group happening at a time.

"There is always something to do here and we are going to give everyone more facilities.

"The young people are very passionate about seeing the development through as they had a lot of false promises in the past.

"It is important to keep the club going because a lot of young people use it, yet you always hear there is nothing to do for young people in Chichester."

The club is home to many organisations and groups, providing a wide range of sports activities, educational programmes, entertainment events, youth clubs, and fundraising activities.

There are more than 230 members at the club, aged nine to 18.

The club was founded by the Rotary Club in 1921 and moved to the Little London premises in 1923.

Several years ago the club was to be demolished and a new purpose-built youth centre would become its new home, all as part of the Shippams factory development, but it never materialised.

The revamp will take place in three phases. The first will see the old gym turned into a shop front.

The second phase will be the internal re-organisation. New rooms will be created, allowing more than one group to use the club at a time.

The last phase is the demolition of some derelict buildings towards the back of the premises. In its place, an extension will be built and courtyard created.

For more information about the club, telephone 01243 782462.