I have an A&L commercial acc and not had problem with it yet, haven't really noticed any delay with cheque payments, no more than any other bank anyway. I've been given 18 months free banking in total, and I think their standard charges are quite low too.
I find the fact that they only do PO banking a postive, as I live in a small village, the nearest bank is only a few miles away but, its so much easier to pop in PO on way home.
I never post the cheques, I always hand them over the counter and get my paying in book stamped, that way its more secure than using standard post.
Simon