Thought it good manners to report back!
I've now got some B&W landscapes (Yosemite) printed from Photobox, Ilford and Theprintspace.
To be fair for the price (I usually print when they've got an offer and wait for free P&P!) the Photobox ones aren't bad. I had a 16x10 pearl and the blacks are okay and the shadow detail not bad. But they took two goes to get it right. I've had it before with B&W with them: you get a odd "grid" pattern all over. I call them, they go "ok" and they re-order one. They turn around fast as well.
I have a direct comparison of a 10x8 image on matt from Ilford and theprintspace. Image wise I wouldn't say there's anything in it although the Ilford looks a little "colder" (which I prefer for this particular shot). Ilford posted in a massive tube with lots of packaging and was about 3 days which I think was good. Theprintspace I picked up from and you could order in the morning and go pick up same day. You get them flat in some clear envelopes. I also had a warm paper for another print and I really liked it.
Butthe Ilford one smelled proper!
So, I have few conclusions!
Are the more expensive prints better than Photobox? - oh yes. If I was selling or sticking a shot on my own wall, I'd pay for this.
My concerns about a colour printer not giving me the same as a proper B&W print seem misplaced.
I think I'd go Ilford for old school B&W but since I can save the postage at ThePrintSpace and they do finishing (and they can do my colour ones!) I think they win.
Now I might be tempted to try Martin Henson!
Dewi