The Fernleigh Youth and Community Centre in North Street will close in September and will then be sold.

It is expected to raise more than £1m with the money going to the building's owners, West Sussex County Council.

The move has been labelled a 'cynical' attempt to cash in on one of Chichester's historic buildings.

The county council said it has to be sold as it cannot afford the estimated £500,000 needed to bring the centre in line with current disabled access legislation.

The building's cellar, where the youth club is based, has been criticised by fire and rescues services for its outdated escape facilities.

Youth club member Jack Restall (13) feels the council should have made the news public earlier so efforts could have been made to raise the money.

He said: "It is a place we can come to instead of hanging around on the streets looking like trouble.

"We can come here, have a good time and chill out."

He and his friends Curtis Boxall (14), Joe Billinghurst (13) and Charlie Kelly (13) want to fight the decision with an organised protest outside county hall.

Curtis said: "I come here most of the week instead of sitting on the couch at home.

"I used to be at home by myself until 6pm or 7pm, but now I'm up and about and I've got lots of new friends."

Another group which uses the centre is Tea and Chat, which has been running from the centre for 30 years.

It is a group where vulnerable people over the age of 65 can meet to socialise.

Project organiser Theresa Taylor said: "We are all really, really upset. We do not want to lose it – I think it is outrageous.

"It is a hugely-important building and if you talk to our members it is a lifeline for them.

"It's a place where our members have been able to come and feel relaxed.

"An an example, if they have just been in hospital, this is a way for them to get back into the community, because they can make friends."

Chichester and District Citizens Advice Bureau also uses the building.

Bureau manager Rose Lodge said: "Premises for community groups are scarce and expensive in Chichester.

"This cynical move to cash in on the value of a listed building on a prime site shows no understanding of the real needs of the community."

A West Sussex County Council spokesman said: "Selling Fernleigh would release money to be ploughed back into services for the community.

"This is in line with our policy of making best use of our funding and facilities.

"In the meantime, we have begun to identify a number of possible suitable alternative premises for the young people, which we will be discussing with them.

"We are also consulting with leading coffee bar chains about having later opening hours, giving young people other venues to meet.

"We are also talking with the non-county council organisations and clubs that meet at Fernleigh, asking them to tell us their requirements, so we can possibly help them find better alternative accommodation."