The manager of the pub closest to Sycamore Gap has said that the tree’s “deliberate felling” will have a big impact on business after as the area has lost one of its “big three” main sites.

The section of Hadrian’s Wall close to Bardon Mill, where the landmark tree stood in a dramatic gap in the landscape until Thursday morning, is close to Vindolanda and Housesteads Roman Forts. However, many day-trippers came solely to visit Sycamore Gap, which is close to Milecastle 39 – a section of the Wall which is free to visit.

In an interview with ChronicleLive, manager of the Twice Brewed Inn Steve Blair admitted the “malicious vandalism” in Northumberland National Park could affect business for the pub, hotel and brewery. On Thursday, the Twice Brewed offered a £1,500 bar tab to anyone who had information leading to an arrest and conviction and has since launched a JustGiving Page to “celebrate the legacy of Sycamore Gap.”

Steve said: “I’m angry and sad that someone would actually do this. The person who has done it has to live with the consequences of this for the rest of their life, it’s pretty sickening for someone to have done this.”

The Twice Brewed Brewing Co, which is attached to the pub, has a pale ale named after the tree with a picture of the landmark on its label. The pub also has Sycamore Gap on its beermats. Steve continued: “We use the tree logo, we have photographs all around the pub of Sycamore Gap in various different settings covered in snow, summertime, so it’s a major part of it.”

Steve hopes that the JustGiving appeal, aiming to raise £10,000 for the National Trust, will support future projects which take place at the site of Sycamore Gap and work carried out along Hadrian’s Wall and in the local area. He said: “That is currently ongoing and it’s getting tremendous feedback from the locals and the community around and the businesses that rely on tourism up here.

“It’ll have a big impact on the day trippers and people coming to see Sycamore Gap. We get a lot of people (as we’re at) the crossover point for the Pennine Way and walking the Roman Wall, but one of the main sites is Sycamore Gap, (alongside) Housesteads and Vindolanda, so they’ve taken away one of the big three.”

The Twice Brewed’s fundraiser is one of many set up in the hope of repairing some of the damage done by Sycamore Gap’s felling. Another, set up by rural broadband provider Alncom, has raised in excess of £2,000 at the time of writing for Northumberland National Park and the National Trust.

A National Trust spokesperson said: ““We’re very grateful for all the offers of support we’ve received – from people in the North East and much further afield. It is clear this tree was special to so many people, in so many different ways.

“We are aware of several JustGiving pages that have been set up, but we haven’t launched an official appeal at this time. We are so grateful to anyone who has made donations. We’ll post any updates on our social media channels.”