A Merseyside council has explained why free parking has been offered at its multi-storey car parks at the same time as the local authority plans to bring in more charges.

The two car parks for Birkenhead’s Pyramids and the Grange shopping centres are free for the whole of December. From December 1, drivers have been able to park for free at the Pyramids and Conway Street multi-storey car parks which will continue for the whole of December.

However the move has been criticised by Wirral’s Conservatives who argue everywhere “should be treated equally and fairly”. Birkenhead currently has 12 pay and display car parks, more than any other town in the borough. These brought in more than £320,000 between November 2024 and October 2025.

The two car parks for the Pyramids and the Grange have brought in nearly £230,000 so far this year. However they have only made £1,721 once costs related to running the multi-storeys is factored in.

In response to a question by Oxton councillor Stuart Kelly, officers said: “The Grange and Pyramids car parks are managed separately and not as part of the wider set of car parks within the borough. They were acquired as part of the shopping centre and managed accordingly.

“The balance of the council’s car parks are managed by the council's Highways department. Only the Grange and Pyramids car parks are included in temporary changes in December. These are aimed at encouraging and supporting shoppers and retailers over the Christmas period to come into Birkenhead and see the lights, shop and experience the newly delivered public realm works which have now been completed.

“This temporary incentive is in recognition of the ongoing works and disruption which has affected the local businesses. It is not practical for the council to offer this incentive throughout the year as both car parks require works to them and the income that is received contributes to these works. This includes management of the car parks, their cleaning, lighting and other running costs.”

Across the council’s 25 other pay and display car parks, the local authority saw an income of £1.36m between November 2024 and October 2025. The local authority does not allocate spending per car park but the service was estimated to cost around £1.33m.

In December 2024, Labour and Green councillors voted to introduce new charges at 22 car parks and on roads in three areas as well as increase fees overall. Fees for current pay and display car parks have already increased.

However the new charges to more car parks as well as roads in New Brighton, Meols, Hoylake, and West Kirby have still not been brought in. The decision is being legally challenged. Charges to new car parks are expected to be brought in before March next year while any on-street parking charges are expected to be brought in in the next financial year which starts in April 2026. However the proposal keeps facing continued opposition from some parties.

In a motion presented to a December 1 full council meeting, the borough’s Conservatives asked for a pause as the local authority looks to move ahead with parking charges in a number of areas. The motion got the support of the Liberal Democrats and Independent Conservatives but lost to a majority of Labour and Green councillors.

The Conservatives had suggested a number of schemes that could be rolled out, a move they said would support trade across the borough. This includes a 15-minute grace period of free parking, as well as free parking windows on Remembrance Sunday and in the run-up to Christmas.

Pointing to the £1.3m income figure in the debate, Cllr Stuart Kelly criticised the decision to offer free parking in December, a time of year when people shop for presents, and not other times of the year, and claimed the parking budget was “one of the most opaque budgets that the council has”.

He added: “We have no idea where that money goes and if people are saying to me it’s purely on subsidising car parking frankly I don’t believe that at all. Some of it is being syphoned off and I have no idea where it’s going.”

Responding to claims the charges will hurt businesses, Wirral Council leader Cllr Paula Basnett said she had been speaking directly to traders, adding: “What local businesses tell us is clear. Parking is only one part of the picture.

“They need wider support to attract more shoppers, increase footfall and bring life and confidence back into our high streets and that is exactly what we’re aiming to do. Working with them, not talking to them.”

She added: “They need real engagement, real solutions, and real action. They need a whole place approach, supporting events, strengthening markets, cleaning up our streets, and championing local independents.”