On the subject of who pays for what, or doesn't, there is a point of law that may have been overlooked. Blackpool Airport is required to hold an Aerodrome Licence. There are two types of licence, a "Public Use" licence and and "Ordinary" licence. If they hold the former, Condition 1 of it requires that "...at all times that it is available for the take-off and landing of aircraft be so available to all persons on equal terms and conditions".
What may happen at Blackpool, happens all over the UK (often with start up carriers as the catalyst), who has the balls to challenge airport operators?