Good luck mate !
Just thinking of the same but going the Instructor route Part time.
I would do the IMC and night as it is real flying. If you do some proper IFR flying on your IMC you'll see if you can Hack it. For a beginer it's not easy believe me. SVFR at night in an area you are unfamiliar with is difficult if not impossible so it may be better to do the IMC first. by the way the Hour Building should count towards your total hr building?
Has anyone compared the costs of the various ground schools for Distance Learning and how are the exams charged?
The Cranfield 3 x 1 week local seems attractive...ie do 3 blocks of exams immediately after.