As per usual, the answer is that it would be better for everyone if all of the nonsense and in-fighting went away and that everyone was made to feel more welcome.
It's not that anyone is nasty, but silly things like getting reported for landing short (which we could debate until the cows come home) and the general bad feeling that has been left by the entire debacle means that the airport and everyone there is suffering.
In regard to the licence and how important it'd be, then I think the main problem is the availability of the PSO funding. Without a scheduled service, then the money disappears. Without a licensed airfield, you cannot usually have a scheduled service, but as the CAA have said to me in the past. they take every route and case on it's merit. The service might not need a licensed strip. Afterall, directflight seem to manage alright.