The organisation is in discussions with Lancashire County Council to transform the city’s bus station into a purpose-built youth centre.
Under the plans, the heritage-listed building will be converted into a state-of-the art facility – Preston Youth Zone Plus - where eight- to 19-year-olds, and young people under 25 with disabilities, will be able to access a range of activities.
Preston Youth Zone, which has already established itself as a charity, will contribute £1m to the construction costs, while Lancashire County Council will invest the remaining £5m.
Work to transform the building is set to start in October 2015, subject to planning permission.
Guy Topping, chair of Preston Youth Zone, said: “This is a very exciting development for the Youth Zone Plus. Preston bus station is not only centrally located it is also extremely accessible to young people, making it an ideal location for us to deliver youth services.
“We have received tremendous support from the local private sector so far, and now more than ever their investment is essential to ensuring Preston Youth Zone Plus becomes part of the city’s legacy for young people.”
Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, cabinet member for children, young people and schools, added: “The Youth Zone Plus will make a huge and positive difference to the lives of thousands of young people from Preston and beyond, and it’s fantastic that it will be located at the heart of the city.”
Youth zones are described as a "unique four-way partnership" between the private sector, local authorities, young people and communities.
OnSide currently manages six youth zones – in Blackburn, Bolton, Carlisle, Manchester, Oldham and Wigan – and plans to open a further 15 by 2020, including one in Wolverhampton in early 2016.
In July, the organisation announced that its first youth club in the south of England will be located in South Bermondsey in London.
