Actually, I think nearly 100 previously licensed aerodromes in the UK promptly gave up their licenses as soon as the outbreak of common sense occurred. The UK CAA were glad to be relieved of the burden of having to visit them all and to concentrate on the ones that need licensing, i.e. those with public transport undertakings.
What the legacy of these previously licensed aerodromes provides is an environment that is substantially the same as meets the criteria for flying training as per CAP 793. This is rather different from the microlight training environment, which has never been required to operate from an aerodrome with essentially public transport limitations.. This is great for base operators (as above) but a bit tricky sometimes for visitors.
TOO