Here's something which might be worthwhile to investigate for anyone interested in converting VHS tapes to a digital format. Klassik knows not how much this would apply to anyone in the UK, but Klassik has just learned at the two public library systems where Klassik lives in Houston, the Houston Public Library and the Harris County Public Library, both have branches that have technology/media centers where one can convert VHS tapes to DVDs or to files for free (though I suspect one would have to provide their own blank DVDs if they are burning DVDs).
https://houstonlibrary.org/techlink
https://www.hcpl.net/services/makercentral
In the case of the Harris County Public Library, their VHS-to-DVD conversion system is a Toshiba DVR620 combo deck. They have an Elgato Video Capture system for VHS-to-digital files. They also have equipment for converting 8mm/Super 8 film to digital and LPs/cassettes to CDs or digital files. The Houston Public Library even has a mixing console and both have green screens. These libraries have some pretty neat and useful technology available for free.
Certainly one would not want to convert 60 VHS tapes at the library, but it might work well for smaller conversions. Klassik knows not if public libraries in the UK have these services. The public libraries here in the US, and Houston specifically, are quite well funded, thankfully.