They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch but a new scheme to boost businesses in Wembley has proved otherwise.

Residents are being offered the chance to enjoy up to £10 worth of free food, dry cleaning or beauty treatments, in return for feedback as part of initiative by Brent Council and delivery partner Meanwhile Space.

The council has commissioned the social enterprise to inject Wembley High Road with some festive fizz whilst helping traders retain custom and cash in on the UK’s annual spending spree.

Participants will be given a mystery shopper voucher worth up to £10.

A total of 20 businesses will be serving up anything from freshly made Italian pizza to freshly pressed pants in a project designed to help them benefit from the increase in passing trade from the London Designer Outlet in Wembley Park.

Last month a successful pilot was held with 25 taste tourists hitting the high road to sample food at several of Wembley’s restaurants.

Cllr George Crane, Brent Council’s lead member for major works and regeneration, said: “Anyone who fancies themselves as a bit of a food critic or wants to help the businesses by being a mystery shopper can take part at the click of a button.

“There are some brilliant businesses in Wembley, especially our restaurants, which have been around for along time and we want to make sure they continue to trade successfully.”

The vouchers can be used by anyone, whether they live in the borough or not, until the end of the month.

Meanwhile Space will also be carrying out customer research, as well as running seminars on good practice in visual merchandising, online presence, marketing and offering shop owners one to one branding sessions with Wayne Hemingway, MBE.

The project will culminate at the end of the year with the Hidden Gems Award, where consumers vote for their favourite stores and the top nominees get to attend a ceremony to celebrate.

The event will be held at the civic centre on December 6.

To take part visit www.comingsoonclub.co.uk/wembley-is-where/you-can-treat-yourself.