All the talk of 738 operators and SEN's runway always takes me back to the 2001 plan to extend the runway by 450 metres, moving St. Laurence Church - or more likely demolishing it. That died in 2002 when the church was granted Grade 1 listed status.
Stobart came along after 'Plan B' - a 300 metre extension was proposed by Regional Airports. Stobart understood the limitations but saw a future that involved niche freight and regional passenger services.
Easyjet came along and changed everything, and there are contributors to this thread who say their presence has been detrimental to the airport's prospects. Certainly, a lot of posters discuss whether another LCC can be persuaded to operate from SEN, and get frustrated about the many that cannot.
Really, Stobart have to back their original vision. I guess they're doing that right now.