Bonusprint have got back to me and they have indeed changed their method in what must have been within the last couple of months because the films I sent away in January came back ok.
But I completely disagree with what you say about this process being of a higher standard. I use film because I like the texture of a print made from a negative. What's more I prefer the colours. Digital imaging can often appear brutally sharp and colour oddly saturated.
And the last thing I want to do is muck about with all this stuff at home, thanks. I'm into the actual taking of the picture, pure and simple, and I like somebody else to deal with all the rest.