there weren't enough passengers to make any of the routes viable
I recall the Amsterdam flights were always full to the brim (compared to a lot of the Amsterdam flights from Manchester that are not ...)
It doesn't take a genius to work out that Peel only took it on because it helped smooth the political path for the development of Robin Hood - a fact they've never denied
Or to get prime development land for a low cost? They may have missed out on the SDC phase of development. The asset can also be used to raise capital in its current or projected form.
For GA success, compare Sheffield with Gamston (and look at all the bizjets in the hangar at Gamston) or Denham.
Perhaps the consultants should look to Option "C" or "D" and suggest somebody else gets the chance to run EGSY for GA for a £1.
This would be more palatable than Option A (close and build for a £1) or Option B (pay the current operators for their trouble in failing to make a profit)
Incidently has any other UK city ever spent money on building an airport then closed it with ten years?