Agree with Buster , gone are the days of mass diversions to Bournemouth where many aircraft were able to park almost anywhere on the ramp , buses from local coach companies were able to drive right up to the aircraft off load passengers and bags then depart to which ever airport they were going to
These days as we all no , things are so much more controlled and regulated , in the winter months at Bournemouth things are run on split shifts and limited staff , on some days there are only 2 departures so no staff around during the day when the flights have departed , only for the return flights along with immigration staff etc to see the arrival through
No airport is going to have staff sitting around just in case a diversion is needed so hence they are told go to BRS / SOU its the way it is now . They don't say no just to be bloody minded but mindful of no staff around to handle an aircraft in off peak times in the winter